Calverley and Farsley councillor Peter Carlill steps down over 'health issues'
He confirmed he was standing down in a Facebook post
West Leeds councillor Peter Carlill has resigned due to health issues.
Councillor Peter Carlill has represented the Calverley and Farsley ward as a Labour & Co-operative councillor since his election in 2018.
In a post on Facebook, Mr Carlill confirmed he had written to the leader and chief executive of Leeds City Council, standing down from his position.
“Although I have kept it private, for some time I have struggled with health issues, both physical and mental, which make the job more difficult for me to do justice,” Mr Carlill said.
“This is a fantastic job - one I have often described as the best job I have ever had - allowing me to make a positive difference to people's lives and the area I love every day.
“Yet it can also be a challenging job, jumping non-stop from one thing to the next, being available around the clock, and being under continuous scrutiny - some positive, constructive and deserved, some otherwise. As someone who is determined to see the best for our area, I have had to accept I can no longer do the role at the level I would want to.”
Since May, Mr Carlill has served as the City Council’s Executive Member for Transport and Planning.
Working alongside James Lewis and Tracy Brabin, he has worked to improve transport locally and to bring buses back into public control, as well as working with children's champions across the city to ensure the voices of children and young people are heard.
Finishing his statement, Mr Carlill threw his full support behind the city’s Labour council - who lost majority control in May’s local elections.
“I wish the best for my colleagues in the Labour group and administration on the council,” he added. “I have every confidence the leadership, executive and members of the group have the best plan to take our city forward - despite the many constraints and challenges they face.
“I wish the very best to whoever takes over my role and hope they continue to work in a fair, positive, co-operative and pragmatic way to provide the best for our area.”
Mr Carlill similarly thanked all his supporters and expressed his pride at the work done to improve the Calverley and Farsley ward.
His departure is expected to trigger a by-election.