Candidates shuffled after Cr B. J. Britten stands down

Press, 2 September 1977, Page 2

Candidates shuffled after Cr B. J. Britten stands down

The Deputy Mayor of -(Christchurch (Cr P. J. R. 'Skellerup) will be moved to the South Ward as a Citizens’ Association candidate after the surprise announce-

i ment yesterday that Cr B. J. Britten will not stand for Selection again. , Cr Britten, a councillor for nine years, was a strong Citizens’ candidate and polled second in the South Ward in 1974. Cr Britten told his association on Monday that because of the pressure of i business commitments that • keep him out of Christchurch too much he would drop out of the race. That gave the association time for some reshuffling before yesterday’s announcement. Mr R. Bamford, aged 34. | will take Cr Skellerup’s place as a candidate for the East Ward. He is a sitting member and candidate for the Christchurch Drainage Board. Cr Britten, as chairman of the housing and property committee, has been a strong supporter of urban renewal and pensioner hous-

ing programmes. He is a i company manager, and made , a steady push for the new ■ Centennial Park sports stadium in Spreydon. He now finds it impossible 1 to set aside 15 to 20 hours a week for council work, but yesterday said he regretted having to leave the council. “Cr Britten’s decision

highlights the demands made upon councillors,” said the Citizens’ Association chairman (Mr C. L. Sugden), “especially those like Cr Britten who voluntarily give unsparingly of their time for the good of the community.”

Mr Sugden said that Cr Skellerup would be invaluable to the South Ward, “to which he will apply his undoubted energy and ability in serving the residents as he has done in the past in the East Ward and other areas.”

He would be able to give even closer attention to the Centennial Park project, Mr Sugden said. The new East Ward candidate, Mr Bamford, is a past president of the Redcliffs Residents’ Association. He is a development manager in the Mount Cook and Southern Lakes Tourist Company, Ltd. “He is particularly interested in hillside drainage and stormwater problems," Mr Sugden said. “His close ties with the area ensure a wide knowledge of East Ward needs.”