A COUNCILLOR said it was a “joy” to serve people in Oxford as he swapped the towers of the Leys for the towers of Westminster.

Scott Seamons, 28, served on the council for five years and has now taken on the role of policy advisor to the Treasury.

A former Greater Leys resident, Mr Seamons was elected as councillor for Northfield Brook in May 2010 and has represented the ward ever since.

He said: “Being a councillor has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. It was a joy from start to finish.

“It has been great being part of a team working alongside people like Val Smith.

“It has been very difficult but I feel I was able to work with the community and make progress.”

In May 2012, Mr Seamons rose to the rank of board member for Housing and Regeneration on the council’s City Executive Board.

During his tenure he played a crucial role in forming plans for the refurbishment of Oxford’s five tower blocks, set to take place next spring, as well as the 885-home Barton Park estate and the regeneration of Blackbird Leys, which would include 180 new homes.

Despite the revelation last week that a funding black hole could delay regeneration plans, he said he remained confident: “Regeneration is not something that has a beginning and an end.

“In Blackbird Leys we have done the swimming pool and improved our parks, and will start to refurbish the district centre.

“There’s no point where you can say ‘I’m done’. There are still great opportunities for Blackbird Leys.”

Mr Seamons was born in Cheltenham and juggled his role as councillor with a PhD in chemistry at Oxford University.

He is also a keen Oxford United fan and has been a season ticket holder since 2010.

He added: “In 2010 we were very busy on the election campaign. It was a nice contrast to go and watch the football .”

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said: “Scott has been an asset to the council the last five years.

“He took over the housing portfolio and made a real success of it, particularly in relation to developing the project for refurbishing the tower blocks. That will be a fitting tribute to his hard work.”

Mr Seamons, who left his post on September 4, met monthly with Blackbird Leys Parish Council.

Chairman Gordon Roper said: “ Scott will be sadly missed and it will be a job to replace him.”

Graduate roles at HM Treasury all begin with 18 months as a policy advisor. Each is assigned a specific area of economic or financial policy, such as health spending, bank regulation or taxation.

Policy advisors research and analyse data to develop policy ideas, write briefings and respond to written questions from MPs and the public.

The deadline for nominations for a replacement councillor for Northfield Brook is Friday, September 25, and a by-election will be held on Thursday, October 22.