City councillor resigns

A LIBERAL Democrat councillor has resigned due to ill health.

Deirdre Mitchell, who represented Abbey ward, left Derby City Council yesterday.

Council and Lib Dem group leader Councillor Hilary Jones, said: "Deirdre Mitchell has given years of service to local people – firstly caring for people as a cancer doctor and then as a local councillor.

"Now, after years of public service she is under doctor's orders to put her own health first, and we all wish her well."

Ms Mitchell's four-year term as a councillor was due to end at the next local election, normally held on the first Thursday in May.

And because her resignation is within six months of that election, when she would have had to defend her seat if she had not resigned, it means there will not be a by-election.

The seat will instead remain vacant until next year's local election.