THE deputy mayor of Lyme Regis has resigned from the town council with immediate effect.
Cllr Jeff Scowen announced in October he would stand down from the council on 31 December 2019.
Cllr Scowen, who joined the council in June 2016, announced today he had brought the date forward as he prepares to move to north Wales.
He said: “I am resigning my position as town councillor with immediate effect.
“I had originally intended to resign on 31 December as I am moving to north Wales to be nearer to my family but things have moved quicker than expected and I will be leaving Lyme Regis this week.
“I would like to bid a fond farewell to the town and my council colleagues – it has been an honour to serve as town councillor, deputy mayor and chairman of the Tourism, Community and Publicity Committee.”
Cllr Scowen became deputy mayor in May 2019 and the council will be asked at a meeting on 8 January 2020 to elect a replacement for the remainder of the council year.
The council will also need to elect a new chairman of the Tourism, Community and Publicity Committee and a new vice-chairman of the Town Management and Highways Committee.
Dorset Council’s electoral services team has been informed of Cllr Scowen’s resignation and a timetable for a by-election will be confirmed in due course.