Mark Sewards has formally stepped down as a councillor for Farnley & Wortley ward.
Mr Sewards was elected as a Labour MP for the Leeds South West and Morley parliamentary constituency last month.
The move – which had been expected – means a by-election will be held in the ward later this year to elect a new councillor.
Posting on social media, Mr Sewards said it has been a ‘privilege’ to be a councillor in Farnley & Wortley ward for the last two years.
He said: “During that time, we’ve seen the completion of a brand new play area in Western Flatts, money invested in all of our parks, a traffic regulation order to make our roads safer, progress made to protect the TV Harrison site (more to come on this) and I’ve completed thousands of pieces of casework for residents.
“Since my election as your MP on the morning of July 5, I’ve reduced my councillor allowance to £0 and I’ve been wrapping up key pieces of work across the ward. I’ll continue work on others as your MP.
“With Parliament returning next week, it’s now time for me to step down and make way for a new councillor who can give the role everything they have. I made a promise during the general election that I would not take or keep a second job outside Parliament and I’m honouring that commitment.
“I simply can’t thank the people of Farnley and Wortley enough for their support over the past few years, including during the general election. I will of course continue to work for you as your MP for our home, Leeds South West and Morley, which covers the council wards of Ardsley & Robin Hood, Farnley & Worley, Morley North and Morley South.”
Mr Sewards’ resignation leaves Farnley & Wortley with two ward councillors – Labour’s Adrian McCluskey and Kate Haigh. Cllr Haigh was elected in May, displacing long-standing Green Party incumbent David Blackburn.
Mr Sewards won the Leeds South West and Morley seat in May, holding off the challenge of Conservative candidate Andrea Jenkyns.
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Thanks to Mark, we finally turned the corner and got hardworking councillors back in the ward.