MP to step down as district councillor at county local elections
Charlie Maynard was elected Liberal Democrat MP for Witney in the General Election last July.
He has represented Standlake, Aston, and Stanton Harcourt on West Oxfordshire District Council since May 2022.
The by-election will take place at the same time as the Oxfordshire County Council local elections on May 1, to save the cost of holding a separate election.
The MP has an attendance record of 71 per cent at West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) meetings, between the date of the 2024 General Election and today.
Fellow Liberal Democrat MP Freddie van Mierlo announced his resignation from South Oxfordshire District Council last week, with a by-election for his seat due to take place on May 1.
Mr Maynard is donating the full £4,200 he received as his councillor allowance to 14 local charities.
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He said: “I have loved representing the people of Standlake, Aston and Stanton Harcourt ward and of course I will continue to champion the community as a member of parliament.
“I am really proud of everything the council has achieved during this time.
“It has been a real pleasure to work with the parish councils and communities of Aston, Hardwick-with-Yelford, Northmoor, Standlake and Stanton Harcourt.
“Parish councillors are some of the true heroes of our country. Unpaid, sometimes overlooked and unthanked, they work month in, month out to solve problems, help people and support our communities.
“Their quiet commitment, interest, care and good humour has both deeply impressed me and made many an evening in a village hall much more enjoyable.
“I’m also very grateful to all the councillors and officers at WODC who I have worked alongside, as the Executive Member for Planning, on scrutiny and other committees and working on all sorts residents’ issues covering housing, sewage, flooding, transport and much else.
“You and your team have given me fantastic support and goodwill over the years across a very broad range of issues”.
“I will continue working closely with the team at WODC to deliver on my priorities as local MP, including cleaning up our rivers, improving local transport links and bringing more health services into Witney.”
Charlie Maynard (Image: Laurie Noble) Mr Maynard was previously criticised by Conservative Councillor Liam Walker for having a “woeful attendance record”, and that MPs with council roles should “step aside and let someone else do it”.
His attendance record between the general election and January stood at 33 per cent.
The charities that Mr Maynard will donate to are First and Last Mile, St Giles Church, Aston Primary School, Standlake Primary School, Stanton Harcourt Primary School, BBOWT Chimney Meadows, Standing with Giants, Mulberry Bush School, Aston Football Club, Standlake and Cokethorpe (Sea Scouts), Northmoor Thursday Lunch Club, Oxford Downs (Standlake) Cricket Club, Stanton Harcourt Cricket Club, and Northmoor Playground.
