A councillor is “doing what he loves to do” after returning to the town hall chamber having had his right leg amputated due to sepsis.
Biddulph North Coun Andrew Hart was given a warm welcome back from colleagues as he took the chair to oversee proceedings at the February meeting of the town council’s Recreation and Amenities Committee.
The Independent representative has been at the forefront of Biddulph’s and the Moorlands’ political scene since he was first elected 23 years ago.
But that was on hold for much of last year after Coun Hart, who has type two diabetes, contracted a severe bacterial infection that developed into sepsis.
It meant he had to have his right leg amputated above the knee and is now confined to a wheelchair.
Due to his severe illness, the 69-year-old spent two spells of three and four months at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
But he is already on the comeback trail as he settles down to represent the people of Biddulph North once again, and relishing the chance to play his part in the rapidly changing world of local government in the Moorlands.
He described 2025 as “not a good year for me” adding: “I’ve had my ups and downs, been in a lot of discomfort and not feeling very well but now I’m feeling much better.”
Coun Hart, who will have a prosthetic leg fitted in due course, said: “I’ve adapted quite well. I’ve got a good housekeeper who looks after me and does my shopping.”
He has already been attending council meetings both at Biddulph Town Council and Staffordshire Moorlands, thanks to colleagues who pick him up from home, although he has retired from his position on the Peak Park Committee after 10 years due to the 54-mile round trip to Bakewell for meetings.
Added Coun Hart: “My life has changed. It was case of adapt and overcome.
“I would never have expected, two or three years ago, that I would be in a wheelchair; it makes you appreciate what other people go through.
“When you’re attending a clinic and there’s other amputees there you think ‘I’m not the only one’, there’s a lot of others.
“But I’m looking forward to getting on with it, we’re getting over the winter and summer is coming.”
He thanked those who have been helping him get out and about.
“Friends and colleagues who are getting me to meetings and bringing me back have been very good. Peak Park even sent a taxi for me.”
Changes
Since his absence from local government, he said “things have changed very quickly”.
He said: “There is an awful lot of disinformation and myths out there, mostly on social media and it’s misleading for members of the public, and it’s my duty to give them the truth.”
While he does not believe it is the right move, Coun Hart wants to play his part in the new unitary authority for the Moorlands, whatever the make-up of Staffordshire after local government reorganisation will be.
“I’ve got every intention of standing for the new unitary authority,” said Coun Hart.
“Local government is changing – and not for the better. The present system works quite well; all the time through covid I don’t think the district council’s bin guys missed a collection.”
He added: “All they’re doing is moving the goalposts. Unless the Government gets to grips with the adult and social care funding, it’s kicking the can down the road.”
Of Reform UK’s rise to power at Staffordshire County Council Coun Hart said: “Reform talks the talk but cannot walk the walk. The shape of things to come is going to be very, very interesting.”
When he chaired the town council’s recent Recreation and Amenities Committee meeting in the town hall he started off by saying “Colleagues, it’s nice to be back,” to which fellow councillors responded with “welcome” and “it’s very good to see you back”.
Coun Hart told the chamber he was “improving”.
Coun Adam Parkes, his Biddulph North colleague on the town and district council, said Coun Hart “has got his mojo back”.
“When he’s sitting there in the council chamber that’s when he comes alive again.
“What Andrew’s been through would have killed mere mortals, or they would have taken the decision to stand down, but he hasn’t.”
“He chaired the town council Recreation and Amenities Committee last week and is once again doing what he loves to do, which is representing the people of Biddulph North.”
(Photo: BTC).
