A Labour councillor has announced he is to stand down ahead of this year's local election after a decade in office.Derek Bibby was elected to represent Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Lochwinnoch and Howwood back in 2012 and says it has been an "honour" to help residents and give them a voice in the chamber.But the 71-year-old - who has devoted his life to public service - insists the time has come to step aside and encourage others to enter the world of local government.Before becoming an elected member, Derek worked for Strathclyde Regional, Glasgow City and Renfrewshire councils as a social work manager for more than 30 years. Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire.
Sign up to our newsletters here. "It has been a privilege to have represented Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch over the last decade and I have always recognised the profound responsibility and honour it is to do so," said the dad-of-two, who has lived in Kilbarchan with his wife Susan for almost 40 years."I am immensely grateful to both members of the Labour Party and the people of Renfrewshire who have put their trust in me to represent them and I hope that I have repaid that trust."I believe now is the time to step down and encourage others to step forward."Politics and my career in social work were about helping people every day.
Whether it be a housing, education or environmental issue, I have always tried my utmost to help people with their problems and back up those people who need a voice on their side in the
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