A FORMER champion for the elderly is standing down as a Halesowen councillor after 13 years representing Hayley Green and Cradley South on Dudley Council.

Councillor Hazel Turner’s decision to retire from politics comes a year after her outspoken husband, Ken Turner, quit.

The couple have moved to Barrowford, Lancashire, to be close to family and Mrs Turner, aged 72, said she had always planned to retire this May.

She said: “I was persuaded to stand again last time, but I said it would be my last term as I would be in my 70s by then.”

Cllr Turner, who was a Conservative for most of her political career, until becoming disillusioned – along with her husband – in December 2013 when the couple became independents.

They were drawn to UKIP and joined the fledgling party in January 2014, but returned to the independent benches when that relationship soured several months later.

Cllr Turner said she had enjoyed the “majority” of her time on the council but found the political fighting of more recent times difficult.

She added: “I thoroughly enjoyed being a champion for the elderly, going to conventions, working with Help the Aged, visiting nursing homes, celebrating 100th birthdays and seeing people in their own homes. I enjoyed doing what I could do to help them.”

Her time is now being taken up with family and seven grandchildren – two of whom live next door – and supporting her 73-year-old politician husband, who has become an independent parish councillor and is standing for the Conservatives on Pendle Borough Council this May.

Candidates for the Hayley Green and Cradley South ward in the local elections on May 5 are Ruth Buttery (Conservative), Malcolm Freeman (Labour), Jennifer Hill (UKIP) and Colin Royle, (Green Party).

Labour’s cabinet member for environment Cllr Hilary Bills is standing for re-election in Halesowen North, facing Jonathan Elliott (Conservative), Nathan Hunt (UKIP) and John Payne (Green Party).

Cllr Donella Russell is up for re-election in Belle Vale, for Labour, with husband Mark standing for the party in Halesowen South, against incumbent Conservative councillor David Vickers, plus candidates Nicola Taylor (UKIP) and Jenny Maxwell (Green Party).

Other candidates in Belle Vale are Laura Taylor (Conservative) and Jon Hartless (Green Party). UKIP is not fielding a candidate in the ward.

Sandwell Council candidates for the local elections include: Rowley – Susan Eaves (Labour), Zac Colledge (Conservative) and Monika Kasnickas (UKIP). Oldbury – Sue Downing (Labour), Richard Williams (Conservative) and Isa Darby (Green Party).

Cradley Heath and Old Hill – Caroline White (Labour), Tilton Storer (Conservative), Robert Johns (Liberal Democrat) and Ben Groom (Green Party). Blackheath – Kerrie Carmichael (Labour) and Shirley Ching (Conservative).

Bristnall – Elaine Giles (Labour), Richard Toye (Conservative), Pete Durnell (UKIP) and Mark Redding (Green Party).