A pair of Hampshire county councillors have urged their Petersfield counterparts to seize the opportunities of devolution in an emotional farewell as a double act.

Russell Oppenheimer spoke of achievements, hopes and regrets over the last nine years in giving his last report to Petersfield Town Council on Thursday.

The outgoing member for Petersfield Hangers and his Butser colleague, Cllr Rob Mocatta, both spoke of devolution and what it could mean for PTC and the town.

They spoke ahead of a closed-doors session about the potential transfer of assets from East Hampshire District Council to PTC, with Cllr Mocatta talking excitedly about “huge opportunities coming forward”.

He said: “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for Petersfield to decide what it wants to take on as a town, so I think everyone around this table should think hard about that.

“I’m really keen for EHDC to give as much to Petersfield Town Council as you’re willing and are able to take on.”

While Cllr Mocatta will be hoping to retain his Petersfield Butser seat for the Conservatives this Thursday (May 7), Cllr Oppenheimer is swapping politics for education.

Town mayor, Cllr Chris Paige, led the thanks with Russell calling his tenure a “really good experience”.

He said: “I feel I’m leaving at quite a momentous moment, especially as the Durford Road crossroads scheme is very imminent and is finally going to happen this summer.

“We’ve had literally hundreds of meetings about it so it will be great when that’s done.

“There’s some unfinished business like the Love Lane space for nature. I would hope the town council takes ownership of that because I think it’s a key site.

“I would also like the town spine to get done because that’s one of my biggest regrets. I was so excited about it and I still think we’ve got to deliver it.

“With devolution there’s a real opportunity for the town council to get support from the new unitary and I think a new town spine would benefit Petersfield in a really positive way.

“Rob and I started at the same time nine years ago and we’ve bounced off each other. It’s been a great honour to represent this town in Winchester.”

While councillors said their farewells to Russell Oppenheimer, they also welcomed a new arrival as Shahinoor Ali was co-opted onto PTC as the new councillor for St Peter’s.

The 22-year-old is the youngest councillor to serve on PTC for some time but the University of Portsmouth student makes up in enthusiasm what he lacks in experience.

He said: “I’m quite active in the community and my main aim is to be more visible – I’m committed to listening.

“I feel like a lot of the young generation don’t see us out and about, maybe. I think maybe I can change that.

“It’s about the young side of things and mixing that with experience. I’ve thought about this for a very long time and I’ve been offered it twice, but now’s the right time.”