Tony Hewitt was a Reform councillor on Ferryhill Town Council in County Durham for a month, but he resigned when his wife’s entry into the Ferryhill in Bloom contest was raised as a possible conflict of interest
18:09, 31 Jul 2025Updated 18:11, 31 Jul 2025
Tony Hewitt in his garden in Ferryhill(Image: PA)
A local councillor has resigned from his position to enable his wife to participate in their town’s gardening competition, declaring he would go to any lengths for her wellbeing. Tony Hewitt served as a Reform councillor on Ferryhill Town Council in County Durham for just one month before stepping down when his wife’s participation in the Ferryhill in Bloom competition was flagged as a potential conflict of interest.
The town council ought to comprise 17 members yet presently operates with merely seven, with Mr Hewitt having been appointed without opposition following his candidacy earlier this year. The pair claimed the premier award for their front garden last year whilst their rear garden secured second place.
Mr Hewitt, who acknowledged that his wife Rita undertakes the majority of the labour, cultivated flowers from seed in their greenhouse and invested hundreds of hours perfecting their horticultural displays.
He explained: “The greenhouse is chock-a-block in spring. Come the autumn time, she takes the seeds from all the flowers and puts them in envelopes for next year.”
Regarding his choice to resign, he stated: “I am prepared to do anything if it’s beneficial for her happiness. She was very much pushing for me to stay on the council and would forfeit the garden competition but I knew in my heart of hearts she wanted to go in it.”
He continued: “She works so hard on it, all she looks for is a bit of recognition. People walk into the garden and say ‘wow’ and she likes that, someone has appreciated all her work.”
Mrs Hewitt, who is disabled, expressed disappointment that her husband could not remain on the town council. She remarked: “It has all been blown out of proportion – it’s a little village garden competition. I have to sit on the floor to garden, but it keeps me active. He would have been a brilliant councillor and I am upset that he has had to give it up.”
Mr Hewitt acknowledged that a councillor participating in a contest organised by the town council might appear as a conflict of interest, despite the assessment being conducted independently.
The couple offered to forfeit any prize – a voucher for a garden centre – and give it to the mayor’s charity, but this was turned down. Judging has already taken place with the result to be announced next month.
Ferryhill Town Council’s official guidelines stipulated that personnel or elected representatives, along with their partners, are prohibited from participating in contests it organises.
The policy declared: “Whilst competitions run by the Town Council will be done so in a professional way, the appearance of any kind of favoritism could make members of the public lose confidence in the Town Council.”
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