AN Oxford City Councillor has resigned his post.

Alex Donnelly who represents the ward of Hinksey Park has announced he will be stepping down as a councillor with immediate effect, for family reasons.

Mr Donnelly, who was elected in 2018 and is member of the Labour Group on the Council, has had to move to London due to his partner’s employment.

They are also expecting the arrival of their second child.

No by-election will be held for his seat, so it will remain unfilled until the full city council election in May 2021.

All out elections using the new ward boundaries approved by the Boundary Commission were due to take place in May 2020, but were postponed to May 2021 by Government as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.

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The Government has also confirmed that no by-elections may be held before that date and so the seat will remain vacant. Hinksey Park ward continues to be represented by Marie Tidball.

Mr Donnelly said: “It’s been a huge privilege for me to work as a City Councillor for Hinksey Park. While work and a growing family have made it necessary for me to step down, I’ll always be grateful to Oxford residents, City Council officers and Labour Party colleagues for their support and friendship over the last few years.”

Susan Brown, leader of the council, said: “We’re sorry to see Alex go, but I completely understand the changes in his family circumstances and I’m very grateful for him staying on the Council for as long as he could. I know Alex had originally intended to stand down in the May 2020 elections which were of course postponed. Alex’s experience as an army veteran has brought some really important perspectives to his role on the council and I would like to thank him for his contribution to the city.”

Mr Donnelly is the second councillor to stand down recently, following Martyn Rush, formerly a Labour councillor for Barton, who stood down for family reasons in September.