Councillor Rodney Bass announces retirement plans following decades of service

Councillor Rodney Bass is to relinquish his role as Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, ahead of his retirement from the Council in May 2017, after 50 years’ service to local government, it was announced today.

A councillor since 1967 (and a County Councillor since 1997), Cllr Bass served as Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation between 2003-2007 and 2013-2015. More recently he has focused on his cabinet role relating to Infrastructure. He was Vice-Chairman of the County Council 2008-10 and Chairman 2010-12.

Through his time on the Cabinet he has led on the Council’s largest capital investment programme to date, and has played a key role in working with national and local organisations to make infrastructure schemes a reality.

The announcement comes on the same day it was announced that Cllr Bass has been nominated for a Lifetime Achievement award at the National Councillor Achievement Awards, following his 49 years’ extensive public service.

Cllr Bass said: “I am very proud to have served the County Council in a number of roles, and the nomination for a Lifetime Achievement Award is a surprise and a great honour. At the age of 71, it is now time for me to retire.”

Cllr David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, added: “Through his time working on the Cabinet Rodney has played an integral role and has overseen what is one of the council’s toughest and often controversial portfolios.

“His tenacity, attention to detail and knowledge will be greatly missed by councillors and officers alike, and he has helped us not only drive forward important highways and infrastructure improvements, but has also played a vital role in helping us start to reshape the Council to help us meet the financial challenges we face.”