Surrey councillor announces 'difficult' retirement triggering another autumn by-election
Yet another autumn by-election has been announced after a Surrey councillor has retired.
Long-standing Liberal Democrat councillor Jeremy Gray has retired from his roles as Tandridge District Council and Surrey County Council where he represented Caterham Valley and Whyteleafe.
Mr Gray, who has represented the area for many years, also served as leader of the Lib Dem group on Tandridge District Council.
His colleague, Cllr Ben Horne, has now taken over the position.
Explaining his decision, Mr Gray had originally planned to step down after county council elections in May this year.
But when those were postponed, he decided “there was never going to be a good time” and chose to retire now.
The former councillor said he hopes to move closer to his family in Hertfordshire.
Speaking to the local democracy reporting service (LDRS), Mr Gray said he had “mixed emotions” and that it was “difficult to step back” from the role.
During his time in office, Cllr Gray was particularly proud of his work expanding youth provision in the CR3 area, including helping to set up a youth club in Caterham Valley, Chaldon and Whyteleafe in partnership with Cllr Jeremy Webster.
He also pushed for significant highways improvements in Caterham Valley and Whyteleafe, including new pedestrian crossing lights and a traffic island on the busy A22.
At a district level, he was a strong advocate for continuing the council’s affordable and social housing programme, something he described as “vital” for local people.
His successor as Lib Dem group leader, Cllr Horne, praised Mr Gray’s service, calling his retirement “a shame” but said the party was looking forward to the future.
“It’s been quite a quick turnaround,” he said. “But I’ve got brilliant colleagues and we’re excited about the next chapter.”
A by-election for the Caterham Valley county council seat will be held on October 16, with a Lib Dem candidate confirmed to contest both the county seat and a district seat in Whyteleafe.
The Lib Dems will have to defend their seat from rival Conservatives, Labour, Reform, Greens and independent parties.
Other county council seats are also up for grabs on polling day including Guildford South East Division and Camberley West.