Jonathan Carr, the Green Party councillor for Abbey ward, has announced that he will be stepping down from his position and moving away from Bath to start a new job in the Home Counties.
Jonathan’s resignation letter to the council explained his decision, due to the very high costs of living in Bath.
In a statement from the Bath & North East Somerset Green Party, they said: “Jonathan has been a tireless campaigner for the Abbey Ward, working hard to make the ward and the council a greener and better place.
“Juggling a full time job alongside council duties, Jonathan was unable to find affordable accommodation and was without a permanent home for several months, relying on the generosity of friends. In this context, he received a job offer outside Bath which he has accepted.”
“His achievements as councillor include leading the way on gull control, with cross party support, introducing a new gull reduction programme. The programme has stemmed the increase in gull numbers though humane methods, with a roll-out of gull-proof sacs and segregated food waste through the council’s new waste strategy.
“As part of the Environment and Sustainability, Jonathan has pushed for greater support for insulating and improving listed properties, supporting local generators, and campaigning for a special energy tariff for Bath residents.
“He has also been working to strengthen the ‘weak’ air quality plans proposed by the council. Jonathan facilitated a meeting between clean air campaigners from Residents Associations, aiming to start a Bath-wide clean air campaign, supported by Lin Patterson, Green councillor for Lambridge.
“Our Green Councillors continue to be a strong and effective voice: spearheading a divestment plan for the council to remove investment in fossil fuels; campaigning for better bus services and leading on improving flood defences, a campaign that Jonathan has led.
“Jonathan has been an effective and incredible campaigner for not only the residents of Abbey, but the entirety of Bath and North East Somerset. It is with great sadness that we see him go and wish him all the best with his future endeavours.”
Mr Carr was elected in May 2015 during the local elections.
