By John Baron
Calverley and Farsley councillor Peter Carlill has resigned due to health issues, it has been announced today.
Mr Carlill had represented the ward as a Labour & Co-operative councillor since his election in 2018.
In a statement issued to WLD this afternoon, he wrote: “I have today written to the leader and chief executive of the council, standing down from my position.
“Although I have kept it private, for some time I have struggled with health issues, both physical and mental, which make the job more difficult for me to do justice.
“This is a fantastic job – one I have often described as the best job I have ever had – allowing me to make a positive difference to people’s lives and the area I love every day. Yet it can also be a challenging job, jumping non-stop from one thing to the next, being available around the clock, and being under continuous scrutiny – some positive, constructive and deserved, some otherwise.
“As someone who is determined to see the best for our area, I have had to accept I can no longer do the role at the level I would want to.
“It’s now 11 years since I was first selected to stand as a candidate in our area, and I thank everyone for the support you have shown me. I am proud of the work I have done for our area – bringing improvements to our parks and green spaces; working for cleaner and safer streets; supporting community groups, clubs, organisations and local services; working with the police on road safety and crime reduction; and bringing the first council youth clubs to our area in decades.
“I know my friend and colleague Craig will be continuing this work and taking it further – as he has done fantastically since being elected two years ago. I will of course continue to be involved in improving our fantastic area, but as a resident and volunteer rather than a councillor.
“More widely I’m also proud of the role I have held within the ruling Labour Group on Leeds City Council, working alongside [council leader] James Lewis and [Mayor] Tracy Brabin to improve transport locally and to bring buses back into public control, working alongside children’s champions across the city to ensure the voices of children and young people are heard, as an exec member working through complex areas of planning to ensure our city grows in a way that benefits residents, and working to ensure Leeds has one of the most ambitious plans to tackle climate change – and most importantly delivers on it.
“I wish the best for my colleagues in the Labour group and administration on the council. I have every confidence the leadership, executive and members of the group have the best plan to take our city forward – despite the many constraints and challenges they face.
“I wish the very best to whoever takes over my role and hope they continue to work in a fair, positive, co-operative and pragmatic way to provide the best for our area.
“Thanks once again for everyone’s support and to anyone that raised issues and ideas to help make our area an even better place to live.”
Mr Carlill had been appointed executive board member for transport and planning in May.
In a social media post, Councillor Craig Timminsd (Lab, Calverley & Farsley) paid tribute. He said: “Needless to say that I am very sad that Peter has stood down as a councillor. He was a great colleague and is a very good friend.
“He gave his heart and soul to the role of councillor and having spoken to him a great deal I know that this was an incredibly tough decision. It is right that he now spends some time to focus on his health.”
It’s understood Mr Carlill’s departure will lead to a by-election in Calverley & Farsley ward.
It is really sad to read about Mr Carlill’s decision to step down and it being as a consequence of ill-
health. As someone who has chronic health issues myself, I know only too well how hard it is, and I also think this summer’s long term heatwave has had a huge impact on people with chronic illnesses. But no matter how hard we work we are just a number and are replaceable to our jobs but not to our families so you are definitely doing the right thing.
Thank you for all your hard work and commitment to our local community, and I wish you well
Irrespective of our political viewpoints we should all appreciate the hard work that our councillors undertake on our behalf.
Peter has worked tirelessly for his constituents in Farsley and Calverley and will he really be missed.
I hope that he overcomes his medical issues asap and that he enjoys life away from the merciless world of local politics.