THERE was an end-of-term air when all the present members of Bromsgrove District Council met for the last time after a four year stint, before the local elections on May 1.

The meeting was the last for several councillors who had either not been chosen to stand again or who had decided to stand down.

It was notable for the unusual amount of goodwill between opposing parties.

The chairman, Councillor David Hancox (Con-Uffdown and Waseley), opened the meeting by offering his good wishes to those who would not return in May - one of whom is Labour stalwart Cllr Cathy Mole.

Cllr Mole is not seeking re-election after representing Sidemoor for 28 years.

In a warm tribute, deputy leader Cllr Margaret Taylor (Con-Barnt Green) said when they both began their careers in local politics in 1973 Cathy had been the youngest member of the council.

She went on to refer to Cllr Mole's brief spell outside the chamber when she had failed to win a seat elsewhere.

Unable to resist the opportunity of taking a swipe at some of her Tory colleagues, she praised Cllr Mole for accepting it with dignity and in true democratic style and not by running, complaining to the press.

"Not only is Councillor Mole a great loss to this council but also to the Labour Party. We will miss her very much," she went on.

Replying, Cllr Mole said representing her ward had been a pleasurable duty which had shaped and been a big part of her life.

On behalf of members and officers the chairman presented her with a framed picture of Bromsgrove.