THE former Conservative leader has revealed his most rewarding accomplishment as a councillor – but also highlighted the toughest and worst challenges faced during his eight years in the role.

Paul Kennedy retired from the council in May after his Hatton, Stretton and Walton ward ceased to exist.

But the 59-year-old Appleton resident has ruled out a return to the town's political scene.

"Life has continued after leaving the council – I have continued to do various things and so has the council, life moves on and you have to get on with it," he said.

"I can genuinely say I am not thinking about coming back. I am not a party member anymore and there would not be elections until 2020."

Despite the Tories being the minority party at the Town Hall, Mr Kennedy, who has two sons, believes members can continue making an impact and responded to criticism over backing of Labour budgets.

He said: "It can be difficult to have an influence but if you have gravitas and make constructive contributions, while being knowledgeable and putting in the effort, you can influence what goes on.

"There has been criticism with the Conservatives backing Labour budgets, from within the party and elsewhere.

"But as leader I always said to my group to vote as they wish. I feel if you are going to object to a budget you have to come up with an alternative."

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Mr Kennedy was elected onto the council in 2008 and took over as Tory group leader in 2012.

And he confirmed the biggest challenges faced, as well as his most rewarding act, in that time.

He added: "The hardest thing was not being able to do anything at times for my residents – it was really frustrating.

"The worst part of it was the petty-minded politics and I felt some of the motions were an insult.

"The best bit was making a difference and improving people's lives. There was a matter to do with a resident whose husband was dying – he had terminal brain cancer.

"As a result there was the creation of a lot more waste and she was regularly having to go down to Sandy Lane tip.

"She rang me up and told me it would really help her spend more time with her husband in his last few days if she had an extra black bin.

"I was able to ring up my contact at the council and within a few hours an additional black bin arrived and it made an enormous difference to her life."

Mr Kennedy also believes substantial 'tension' levels could be created in the town as fears over council tax continue to escalate.

He is expecting pressure on a number of the town's services to increase.

He said: "The demand on services is tricky. There could be big tension among those who pay council tax and receive very little for what they pay and others."

Mr Kennedy enjoyed eight years at the Town Hall working with members but he struggled to name a favourite.

"I simply don't know who my favourite was – I liked working with most people, some more than others,” he said.

"I did not dislike working with people. I genuinely can't answer who my favourite was.

"I think it would do their careers no good if I did and I would not want to do that. All I can say is I enjoyed my time working with members, everybody was different."

Mr Kennedy also insisted political appointments must be 'about talent' and 'irrespective' of gender.

He added: "I think politics is very aggressive and I don't think women necessary think like that. I think women are more pragmatic than men."