A HUNTINGDON Town Councillor has been forced to step down from office because of ill-health and other commitments.

Nigel Pauley, who retains his seat on Godmanchester Town Council, resigned from the post at the end of last month. The national journalist has been unable to attend meetings since December.

Speaking to the Hunts Post, Cllr Pauley said he wanted to concentrate on regaining his health ahead of Huntingdonshire District Council elections in May. He plans to stand for the Godmanchester seat as an independent candidate.

Since his election to Huntingdon Town Council last May, Cllr Pauley has helped to get refurbishment work started on Huntingdon Town Hall and the Riverside Park toilets re-opened.

He said: “I enjoyed my time on HTC and felt we’d achieved a lot in short time but I felt it only fair to step back and allow someone who had more time and commitment the chance.”

His departure was officially announced at Huntingdon Town Council’s finance committee meeting yesterday. If the post attracts more than one candidate and 10 electors call for a by-election, one could be held on May 3, at the same time as the district council’s elections.