Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council has a new chairman, after Colin Martin stood down at the group’s most recent meeting.

David Forrest has taken over as chairman of the community council, with Mr Martin’s resignation announced before the meeting at Crookston Care Home last Tuesday evening.

Mr Martin told the community council in his resignation leter that it had been “an honour and a privilige” to be chairman.

He said: “It is with regret that I am tendering my resignation as not only chair but also as a community councillor.

“At this time, I feel that I have not been giving my full commitment to what is an important job within the community council, due to some personal and health issues.” Mr Forrest, vice-chairman during Mr Martin’s tenure as chair, praised his predecessor for his efforts.

He said: “We wish Colin all the best for the future.” Meanwhile, Robert McNeill, a TECC member who is also on the committee at Tranent Juniors FC, where Mr Martin is chairman, added: “It is very sad but it has to go on record the work that Colin has done in his role as the chairman of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council (TECC).

“A lot of the work Colin did we did not see, but he spent a lot of his time trying to do his best for the community council.” Members agreed with Mr McNeill that they hoped to see the outgoing chairman return to the community council at some point in the future, and Colin McGinn praised his efforts, while adding that “it is the same faces who do jobs in the various committees”.

Ward councillor Donald Grant, who was unable to attend the TECC meeting, contacted the Courier to pay his tribute to the outgoing chairman.

He said: “As a local councillor, I would like to thank Colin for his efforts and committment.

“Along with others, he has made a real difference to the communities of Tranent and Elphinstone. We will miss him but I’m sure he will be back in some capacity in the future to serve our community.” David Forrest will now chair the community council, while the group’s newest member, Helen Spencer, from Elphinstone, takes the vacant vice-chair role.

The group’s next meeting will take place on June 16 at 7pm, with the day centre at Crookston Care Home once more the venue.

Meanwhile, Mr McNeill, secretary at the town’s junior football club, confirmed to the Courier that Mr Martin will remain chairman of Tranent Juniors.

Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council has a new chairman, after Colin Martin stood down at the group’s most recent meeting.

David Forrest has taken over as chairman of the community council, with Mr Martin’s resignation announced before the meeting at Crookston Care Home last Tuesday evening.

Mr Martin told the community council in his resignation leter that it had been “an honour and a privilige” to be chairman.

He said: “It is with regret that I am tendering my resignation as not only chair but also as a community councillor.

“At this time, I feel that I have not been giving my full commitment to what is an important job within the community council, due to some personal and health issues.” Mr Forrest, vice-chairman during Mr Martin’s tenure as chair, praised his predecessor for his efforts.

He said: “We wish Colin all the best for the future.” Meanwhile, Robert McNeill, a TECC member who is also on the committee at Tranent Juniors FC, where Mr Martin is chairman, added: “It is very sad but it has to go on record the work that Colin has done in his role as the chairman of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council (TECC).

“A lot of the work Colin did we did not see, but he spent a lot of his time trying to do his best for the community council.” Members agreed with Mr McNeill that they hoped to see the outgoing chairman return to the community council at some point in the future, and Colin McGinn praised his efforts, while adding that “it is the same faces who do jobs in the various committees”.

Ward councillor Donald Grant, who was unable to attend the TECC meeting, contacted the Courier to pay his tribute to the outgoing chairman.

He said: “As a local councillor, I would like to thank Colin for his efforts and committment.

“Along with others, he has made a real difference to the communities of Tranent and Elphinstone. We will miss him but I’m sure he will be back in some capacity in the future to serve our community.” David Forrest will now chair the community council, while the group’s newest member, Helen Spencer, from Elphinstone, takes the vacant vice-chair role.

The group’s next meeting will take place on June 16 at 7pm, with the day centre at Crookston Care Home once more the venue.

Meanwhile, Mr McNeill, secretary at the town’s junior football club, confirmed to the Courier that Mr Martin will remain chairman of Tranent Juniors.