By-election set to be called as controversial councillor resigns

A LABOUR-RUN Derbyshire council's chair of planning has resigned, prompting a by-election in the next month.

- By EDDIE BISKNELL

Labour's Councillor Gareth Jones, elected in May 2023 for the Seales ward on South Derbyshire District Council, has formally resigned from the authority.

A by-election will now be held on November 6. Councillor Jones, who works in the construction sector and had been chair of the authority's planning committee, made waves in July by using his casting vote to break a deadlock and approve a battery energy farm in Overseal.