A Liberal Democrat councillor “reluctantly” resigned from his post after ten years today.
Martin Pantling, who was councillor for the Barnfield ward, is taking up a new role which means he can no longer work as a councillor.
The local Lib Dem party is in the process of selecting a candidate for the by-election which will take place on October 17.
Mr Pantling said: “It has been a great privilege to represent Barnfield residents for the past ten years during which time I have met many people and made some good friends. I am taking up a new role which makes it impossible for me to continue as a councillor, and so have reluctantly had to step down.
“I have no plans to move away and so will continue to be in touch with what is going on in Barnfield, where I have enjoyed working with local residents on a number of issues over the years.”
Among the many campaigns that Mr Pantling worked with Barnfield and Bushmead residents on were successfully halting Labour plans for a Bus Lane along Old Bedford Road, opposing the outright merger of Bedfordshire Police with Hertfordshire – supported by Conservative councillors on the Police Authority at the time, and working hard with residents to persuade Barnfield College to withdraw a huge planning application that would have seen the loss of most of the local green open space.
Liberal Democrat leader Councillor David Franks said he was sorry to lose a valued colleague.
He said: “I have enjoyed working with Martin over the last ten years during which time he has contributed greatly to the work of the Liberal Democrat councillors whilst working tirelessly for the best interests of Luton generally and Barnfield in particular.”
Luton Borough Council announced a by-election on Thursday October 17 for one of Barnfield Ward’s two seats on the authority to be contested.
The elected councillor will serve until May 2015, when the whole council is up for election. The hours of poll for all elections are 7am to 10pm.
At full strength Luton Borough Council has 48 members representing 19 wards, and there are currently 36 Labour, eight Liberal Democrat and four Conservative councillors.
Anyone wishing to stand as a candidate should contact the council’s Electoral Services Manager on 01582 546088 for a nomination pack, to be completed and returned to the Returning Officer at Luton Town Hall by no later than noon on Friday September 20, 2013.
If there are two candidates or more, the confirmed list of candidates standing will be published on the council’s website on the afternoon of Tuesday September 24, 2013.
Residents of Barnfield who are currently on the Register of Electors will receive a poll card by September 20, 2013 explaining how, where and when to vote. Electors can vote without the poll card, which is supplied for information only, but it can be easier if they take it with them.
Residents of Barnfield who are not currently on the electoral register need to complete a registration form and ensure it reaches the Town Hall by midnight on Wednesday October 2, 2013. A registration form is available on the website www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and by calling 01582 510380.
A full list of addresses in Barnfield ward, and the appropriate polling station where electors can vote, will be available on the Luton Borough Council website at www.luton.gov.uk, search ‘Barnfield by-election 2013’ by Wednesday September4 2013.
Guidance for candidates on spending, campaigning and completing the nomination papers is also available on the Electoral Commission website at www.electoralcommission.org