A former mayor and long-serving councillor in Reading has stood down after 16 years in office.
Sarah Hacker was first elected as a Labour councillor for Battle ward at the Reading Borough Council local elections in 2010.
Her years of service have seen her championing culture and the arts, her stint as mayor for 2015/16, and the difficulty following her suspension from the Labour Party.
Councillor Hacker is the daughter of former councillor Chris Maskell, who served for years as a councillor before retiring in 2022.
Announcing that she retire from council life ahead of the 2026 local elections, she said: “Despite offers from other parties to stand as a candidate and lots of local support if I did decide to stand as an Independent, I’ve decided that I won’t be standing in the May elections, and my time as a councillor has come to an end for the time being, at least.
“I’d like to thank every single person who voted for me and supported me over the last 16 years.
“I think we’ve got a lot done, we’ve had our parks refurbished, we’ve finally got the Cow Lane bridges project complete. We have a new station at Reading West, however I won’t be quiet about it not being fully accessible, because I think that’s a disgrace.
“We’ve had investments in schools and the roads, we’ve had an extension on the library, so we’ve managed to do lots of things over the last sixteen years.
“But it’s time for me now to rest and reflect and look forward to a new phase in my life.”
She added that she will focus more on her job as a charity fundraiser, and also spend time engaging in her hobbies, archaeology and dancing.
On a possible return to politics, she said: “Never say never.
“The UK’s at a very dangerous turning point, I believe, at the moment, and we need people who are compassionate, with empathy and who care about their community to speak up.”
Cllr Hacker is a trustee of Reading Pride, and is a governor of Oxford Road and Wilson Primary School.
Notice of her stepping down was also given at the last full council meeting on Tuesday, February 24.
Liz Terry, the council leader, noted that both cllr Hacker and Mr Maskell had served as mayors of Reading, with Mr Maskell being mayor in 2007/8.
Cllr Terry (Labour, Coley) said: “Sarah has represented Battle ward since 2010, during which time she has most notably brought her passion for arts and culture to the fore.
“Whether it be in the arts and heritage forum, lead member for culture, heritage and recreation, or as patron of the Year of Culture 2016.
“Sarah will also be remembered for her year as mayor, where she was often seen being supported by her two sons, Isaac and Hayden, her two mayorettes!
“As far as records show, Sarah is the only daughter of a past mayor to herself become a mayor of Reading in her own right.
“We thank Sarah for her work and commitment to Reading over the past 16 years.”
Mr Maskell quit Labour in January 2022, and cllr Hacker was suspended from the party in April 2023.
