A by-election will be held in Portishead after the resignation of one of the town’s North Somerset councillors.
Cllr Paul Gardner, a member of the Portishead Independents, has resigned his post as a councillor on North Somerset Council for the town’s east ward.
The ward is a two member ward and is also served by Independent councillor Caritas Charles.
Mr Gardner said his decision to step down was due to ‘personal reasons.’
He remains a member of Portishead Independents and will continue in his role as chairman of Portishead Town Council.
Mr Gardner said: “With sadness I have resigned as a North Somerset Councillor for personal reasons.
“I remain committed to my role as chair of Portishead Town Council where my priority is and always will be the people of Portishead.
“I look forward to working in partnership with North Somerset Council to protect and promote positive futures for all Portishead residents.
“It has been a pleasure working with North Somerset councillors and officers during a challenging year and I wish colleagues well during their continued efforts to ensure our communities recover from the effects of coronavirus and come back stronger."
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, any election would be suspended until May 2021.
Portishead was a Tory stronghold up until last year’s elections.
The town’s east ward was previously represented by David Pasley and David Oyns, who both lost their seats to Cllr Gardner and Cllr Caritas Charles.
Cllr Charles, who is North Somerset Council executive member for leisure, culture and tourism, initially won his Portishead seat on the unitary authority as a Portishead Independent.
He resigned from Portishead Independents last month and is now an independent councillor.
A North Somerset Council spokesman said: “A seat has become available on North Somerset Council following the resignation of Cllr Paul Gardner, one of the members representing the Portishead East ward.
“The seat will now be advertised as vacant and any election, if called, would be suspended until May 2021 in accordance with the current election arrangements as a consequence of COVID-19.
“The ward is a two member ward and the local community continues to be represented on North Somerset Council by Cllr Caritas Charles."
