STUDLEY South and Sambourne district councillor Nick Moon (Conservative) has tendered his resignation.
Mr Moon, who served an eight month tenure, quit his post on Tuesday (January 5) after much soul-searching over the Christmas period.
Last year’s elections saw Sambourne-based Mr Moon’s surprise victory in the re-drawn ward after Stratford acted to reduce its crop of councillors to 36, the Studley vote splitting between Councillors Eric Holder (Ind) and Paul Beaman (Lib Dem).
With a turnout of 69.6 per cent, Mr Moon gained 655 votes to Coun Beaman’s 628, with Coun Holder gaining 111 and Coun Somner-Brown gaining 364.
“It is with some regret I have decided to tender my resignation,” he said.”There are a number of reasons for my decision but first and foremost I do not believe I can give the role the time and commitment it appears to require in view of my business and voluntary roles.”
Mr Moon, who is the main carer for his family’s three young children, is the chair of governors at a local primary school and leads a church restoration team across the Alcester Minster of Churches.
He added that he had become frustrated at the slow pace of progress at both parish and district level and said more action and less talk was required.
“I recognise there are big decisions that need to be taken with enormous consequences for the people who live within the district but nevertheless I do think a bit of commercial thinking and actions are required in the public sector if we really are to grasp the opportunities that we are presented with for the future,” he said.
“I thought I was doing a reasonable job and have a diary full of people both in Studley and Sambourne who I have assisted but if meetings are what it is all about and certainly some seem to think it is – irrespective of the content of those meetings – then I have to accept I am unsuitable for the role.”
He also added he was disappointed with Stratford District Council’s decision to decline joining the West Midlands Consortium and the ‘procrastination’ of Studley Parish council to support the newly formed Studley Business Forum.
Following his tenure Mr Moon plans to follow through on his manifesto promises.
He added: “Whilst no longer a Councillor I will continue to focus working hard to help secure economic prosperity for the area by working with the Business Forum in Studley and tackling the issues of litter, fly tipping, speeding and dog fouling that are such a blight on our community and need to be eradicated.”
A by-election is expected to be held by the end of February.
