A COUNCILLOR has resigned from a town council after party politics forced through a controversial vote.

Graham Sewell, a former chairman of Greater Willington Town Council (GWTC), resigned on Tuesday night after the authority’s Labour councillors used their superior numbers to vote through a controversial change of title for the council’s leader.

It was agreed to change the title of chairman to mayor in order to boost the town’s profile, despite the protestations of the independent and Conservative members of the council.

Councillor Sewell said the council had always pledged not to be political, but rather fight for the good of the town.

But, following the vote he said it was time to quit, adding: “I felt like I could not carry on because the council has become something we never wanted – political.”

Conservative Becky Brunskill also opposed the change and said: “The council should be using its meetings to find ways of increasing investment in our town centre, speeding up regeneration and developing more opportunities for young people – instead, it seems to be more concerned about titles.

“I’ve got nothing against a mayor in the future when the council is more established and with a track record of having achieved more for residents, but there are bigger and more important things to worry about at this time.”

Brian Myers, who has been chairman for the past year, was elected as mayor and said the title change would raise the council’s profile and, with the council set to expand from nine councillors to 11 at next year’s elections, encourage more people to stand.

He said: “We believe that after five years as a council, with a growing presence in the town, it is time for us to give it a boost.

“Raising the public profile of the GWTC will help to get people to come forward and become elected representatives for their communities.”

Following the vote Mr Sewell, Coun Brunskill and councillors Arthur Graham and Ann Scott walked out of the meeting in protest.

Anyone wanting information about standing for election next May, is asked to call council clerk Helen Cogdon on 01388-742007 or 01388- 742000, or speak to her assistant, Emma, at the Willington Action Centre, in High Street.