FORMER Liss Parish Council chairman Keith Budden’s four-year reign came to an end at the council’s annual meeting.

Cllr Budden stood down at the meeting in Liss Village Hall on Monday evening.

Councillors can only stand as Liss Parish Council chairman for a maximum of four years in one term.

Cllr Budden was elected as the parish council’s vice-chairman at Monday’s meeting, and Cllr Roger Hargreaves was elected as the new chairman.

Cllr Budden has enjoyed an eventful four years as chairman of the parish council, with plenty happening in the village.

He said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, it’s been a very enjoyable experience.

“It’s not been without its travails at times, but it’s been good to lead solid people in the council.

“We have also grown in staff and capacity at the council, and it has been good to see the councillors on board be developed and enhance their abilities.

“I’m confident that I’m handing over a very strong council.

“There is a great community spirit in Liss and it has been great to work with people who serve Liss.

“I’m looking forward to remaining on the council for the foreseeable future.”

As well as remaining on Liss Parish Council, Cllr Budden is the East Hampshire district councillor for the Hangers and Forest Ward.

Cllr Budden said: “As a district councillor I provide a conduit between the parish council and the district council, which I think is a very useful function.”

Cllr Budden feels that the Liss Neighbourhood Plan is one of the major achievements of his tenure.

He said: “The idea of a neighbourhood plan was raised when we did a presentation at an annual parish meeting, so I do feel a sense of satisfaction.

“A lot of people have put a lot of time and work into the neighbourhood plan so I hope the village will support the plan when the referendum is held later this year.”

One of the main topics over Cllr Budden’s reign has been plans for a new pavilion in the village.

The scheme has suffered a few setbacks, but hope remains that a new pavilion can be delivered.

Cllr Budden said: “The pavilion has taken up a tremendous amount of time.

“We’ve kept going with it and hopefully in the next 12 months it will come to fruition. Obviously it has taken longer than we hoped but we need to get it right.”