Ward work first, says councillor who has quit Cabinet
CALDER ward Coun David O'Neill has quit his Calderdale Council Cabinet post, it was revealed this week.
Councillor O'Neill became the council's communities spokesman in May.
But he said travelling from his home in Todmorden to Halifax Town Hall every day for lengthy meetings was too onerous, despite the 12,500 special responsibility allowance.
"I had a crack at the job but I soon realised it was not what I went onto the council to do," said Liberal Democrat Coun O'Neill, who also represents Stoodley ward on Todmorden Town Council.
"The amount of time I was having to spend in meetings meant I could not deal with the queue of people in my own ward wanting help."
Councillor O'Neill has been a member of Todmorden Town Council since 1989 and was elected to Calderdale Council by a majority of just 77 votes in 2007.
He says he will be seeking re-election next May.
Councillor O'Neill and his wife, Susan, who breed budgerigars, were the Mayor and Mayoress of Todmorden in 2005/6 and the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Calderdale in 2008/9.
It is understood that the Liberal Democrats, who run the council in a coalition with Labour, will meet next week to chose a cabinet replacement.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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