THE former leader of Waverley Borough Council’s opposition Farnham Residents group, John Williamson, has resigned his town and borough council seats - triggering a likely by-election later this year.

Mr Williamson, in a letter to Waverley chief executive Tom Horwood, explained that having spent the winter living in Italy, he and his wife have decided to sell their Farnham home and relocate to the Cotswolds.

The councillor for Farnham Castle ward, said: “I’ve given considerable thought to the options open to me in respect of my position on the council. These options have included being a ‘distant councillor’ in order to save the council the inconvenience of holding a by-election.

“However, I have concluded that this course of action would be neither fair on the electorate or the council. It is therefore with regret that I have decided to resign.

“Looking for positives, a by-election at this time will at least give Waverley and its executive a valuable insight into what the electorate in Farnham think about the council’s recent decisions and proposed plans for the future.”

Waverley and Farnham councils have each published a ‘notice of vacancy’ for Mr Williamson’s council seats. The Farnham Residents councillor also handed over responsibility as group leader to former town mayor John Ward in February.

For an election to be called at parish level, the town council requires a minimum of ten electors to write to the Returning Officer at Waverley Borough Council, The Burys, Godalming, GU7 1HR before April 5.

At borough level, just two electors are required to write to the Returning Officer by April 12.

If elections are called, they must take place within 60 days and would likely be held on the same day, costing taxpayers up to £4,000.