A WINCHESTER city councillor has stepped down from cabinet due to ill health, with well wishes paid to her from the authority’s leader.

Cllr Lynda Murphy, who has represented the St Michael ward since 2018, has decided to leave her role as cabinet member for environment after a period of illness.

The announcement was made at a meeting of the council’s cabinet by leader Cllr Lucille Thompson, who said: “It is with great sadness that I have to report that Lynda will be stepping down from cabinet with immediate effect.

“Cllr Murphy as most members know has been unwell for a number of months now and her illness means she will need to take some considerable time to recover. She really doesn’t need the stresses and strains of being a member of cabinet.”

She continued: “I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Murphy for all the work she has put in and I know she would be absolutely gutted not to be able to see the climate emergency action plan through to fruition. She has been a terrific member of the team and we all wish her the very best for a speedy recovery.”

Cllr Murphy, who was named as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Eastleigh in the recent General Election, will remain part of the council.

Due to the upcoming election in May Cllr Thompson announced that there will not be a new appointment, with the portfolio continuing to be split between herself tackling the climate emergency and Cllr Martin Tod focusing on traffic, parking and waste.