Hove Park Councilor Vanessa Brown retires in Brighton general election

Hove Park Councilor Vanessa Brown will retire after 28 years as councilor at the forthcoming 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 Westbourne in 1995.

Following the unification of Brighton and Hove Borough Councils in 1997, Cllr Brown moved to Stanford Ward – later renamed Hove Park Ward – where she successfully ran for the Conservatives in a further seven elections.

A former teacher by trade, she took over the children and schools portfolio during the city’s last Conservative council administration from 2007 to 2011.

Here she oversaw the founding of Brighton Aldridge Academy and began founding Portslade Academy.

Cllr Brown was a Conservative spokeswoman for schools throughout her time on the Council.

During her time as councilor, she sat on many committees including Environment, Transport and Sustainability, Tourism, Business and Culture, and the Health and Welfare Council.

She was a constant on the Committee on Children, Families and Schools or Children, Youth and Skills, which she says was her “best interest.”

“I’m sorry to be going and I’m sure I’ll miss any challenges, but I’ve decided the time has come to spend more time with my family and maybe take a few more vacations,” Cllr said Brown.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my twenty-eight years as a Council Member and would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the many residents of Hove Park Ward who have helped and encouraged me over the years.

“Sometimes the work was very frustrating, but other times it was very rewarding. I would also like to thank all the volunteer and community groups that I have worked with.

“These residents are volunteering their time to make the area a better place to live.”

Conservative leader Steve Bell paid tribute to the veteran councillor.

“Vanessa has earned immense respect throughout the city for her work as a councilwoman,” he said.

Ivan Lyons (left) will run as the Conservative candidate alongside Emma Hogan and Cllr Samer Bagaeen (Image: Brighton and Hove Conservatives)

“Her knowledge of schools and children’s issues is second to none and when she speaks everyone listens.

“She had a huge impact on the city and undoubtedly on the thousands of children who have graduated from the schools she helped build.

“After 28 years of service, I understand Vanessa’s desire to retire to spend more time with her grandchildren, whom she loves dearly.”

Following the resignation of Cllr Brown, Brighton and Hove Conservatives have announced a new team to run in the Borough of Westdene and Hove Park in the May 2023 City Council election.

This team consists of current Tory Councilor for Hove Park Samer Bagaeen and Dr. Emma Hogan and Ivon Lyons, who Cllr Brown has wished “good luck”.

The new borough combines all of the existing Hove Park Ward with some parts of the former Withdean borough, including all of the Westdene and Withdean districts.