A longstanding councillor who has served her community for almost three decades will step down in May.

Hove Park ward Councillor Vanessa Brown will retire after 28 years as a councillor at the upcoming local elections.

She said she wanted to spend more time with her family.

Cllr Brown was first elected to the former Hove Borough Council for the Westbourne ward in 1995. 

After the unification of Brighton and Hove Borough Councils in 1997, Cllr Brown moved to the Stanford Ward - later renamed Hove Park ward - where she successfully stood for the Conservatives at a further seven elections.

A former schoolteacher by profession, she took on the children and schools portfolio during the last Conservative council administration in the city during 2007-2011.

Here she oversaw the establishment of Brighton Aldridge Academy and began the work to set up the Portslade Academy. 

Cllr Brown has been a spokeswoman for the Conservatives on schools throughout her time on the council.

During her time as a councillor she sat on many committees including the environment, transport and sustainability, tourism, economy and culture and the health and wellbeing board.

She has been a constant on the children, families and schools, or children, young people and skills committee, which she said was her “greatest interest”.

“I shall be sorry to leave, and I am sure I will miss all the challenges, but I have decided that the time is right to spend more time with my family and maybe have a few more holidays,” said Cllr Brown.

“I have enjoyed my twenty-eight years as a councillor very much and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the many residents of Hove Park Ward who have helped and encouraged me over the years.

“Sometimes the work has been very frustrating but at other times very rewarding. I would also like to thank all the voluntary and community groups that I have worked with.

“These residents give freely of their time to help make the area a better place to live.”

Conservative group leader Steve Bell paid tribute to the veteran councillor.

“Vanessa has gained immense respect across the city for the job she has done as a councillor,” he said.

The Argus: Ivan Lyons, left, is set to stand as a Conservative candidate along with Emma Hogan and Cllr Samer Bagaeen Ivan Lyons, left, is set to stand as a Conservative candidate along with Emma Hogan and Cllr Samer Bagaeen (Image: Brighton and Hove Conservatives)

“Her knowledge on schools and children’s’ issues are second to none and when she speaks everyone listens up.

“She has had a big impact on the city and no doubt the thousands of children who have graduated from the schools that she helped establish.

“After 28 years’ service I completely understand Vanessa’s wish to retire to spend more time with her grandchildren who she loves dearly.”

Following Cllr Brown’s retirement, Brighton and Hove Conservatives have announced a new team that will contest the Westdene and Hove Park ward at the May 2023 city council elections.

This team is made up of current Tory councillor for Hove Park Samer Bagaeen, alongside Dr Emma Hogan and Ivon Lyons, who Cllr Brown has wished “every success”.

The new ward brings together the entirety of the existing Hove Park Ward with some parts of the former Withdean ward, including the entirety of the Westdene and Withdean neighbourhood.