CHESTER councillors may be at the centre of the new Cheshire West and Chester council but a galaxy of city political stars have dropped out of orbit.
Some chose not to contest last May's elections to the new half billion pound authority but others failed to sparkle with the voters as Tory candidates swept to a landslide victory.
Missing from the new council's political deliberations are veteran Town Hall Labour leader Cllr John Price (Blacon Hall), who famously insisted the city "punched above its weight" and colleague Lib Dem leader Paul Roberts (Farndon).
City council and Tory leader Margaret Parker (Mickle Trafford) failed to gain a seat on the new authority by barely a handful of votes when she campaigned in Hoole & Newton but hopes to return to politics while her deputy, Stephen Mosley (Handbridge & St Mary's) has ambitions to replace MP Christine Russell on Westminster's green benches.
Tarvin councillor Eric Plenderleath, (Con) a member of the Town Hall executive is also not continuing.
Those missing also include deputy lord mayor Paul Cheetham (Lib Dem, Vicars Cross), Wirral parliamentary candidate barrister Jeff Clarke (Con, Waverton), city centre councillors Gwyn Cooper (Lab) and Ed Jonas (Con), long serving Elton councillor Barry Cowper (Lab), a former lord mayor, Lib Dem whip Ken Holding (Vicars Cross), Labour highways spokesman David Hughes who retained his Lache Park seat when a slick Labour machine was swept from power south of the river, city sheriff David Hull (Lib Dem, Hoole Groves), former Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Mia Jones (Dodleston), former lord mayor Jim Latham (Lib Dem, Boughton Heath), College ward campaigner David Mead (Lib Dem), former lord mayor and Lib Dem leader Graham Proctor (Vicars Cross) and the political dynasty of councillors Bob and Sandra Rudd (Lab, Boughton and College respectively) who are closely linked with Mrs Russell.
Boughton has said goodbye to Sue Atkinson (Lab), Janet Black (Lab) no longer represents College and Jean Evans (Lib Dem) has seen the Tories take over all the other city council seats in the suburb.
Andrew Garman has said goodbye to his Lib Dem seat in Kelsall while outspoken Terri Gray no longer represents Newton Brook as a councillor.
Tory Caroline Mosley (Upton Westlea) has attended her last city council meeting as chairman of the Town Hall's scrutiny process while Saughall city councillor Jeanne Storrar (Con) no doubt has fond memories of her year as sheriff's lady.
The cull at County Hall has been even more dramatic so far as Chester district councillors are concerned.
Only one of the nine, Cllr Eleanor Johnson (previously Con, Gowy) continues, now as a councillor for Mickle Trafford ward.
County Hall Lib Dem leader Sue Proctor (Boughton Heath & Vicars Cross), an immensely experienced figure, is not continuing nor is David Rowlands (Con, Mickle Trafford) who had been deputy Tory leader.
Others are Upton's Colin Bain (Lib Dem), Peter Byrne (Lab, City), Brendan Doyle (Lab, Blacon), Molly Hale (Lib Dem, Hoole & Newton), Eveleigh Moore Dutton (Broxton) and Stephen Mosley (Overleigh).
Chester Tories held the leadership and chairmanship of the shadow Cheshire West and Chester council in the shape of Cllr Mike Jones (Broxton) and Cllr Brian Crowe (Mickle Trafford).
This continues in the first year of the new council with Cllr Jones being joined by Cllr John Ebo (Hoole & Newton) as chairman and Cllr Neil Ritchie (Broxton) as deputy chairman.
