Two councillors in a Newark district have stepped down due to personal, family and health reasons.
Emma Oldham, who represented Balderton North & Coddington for the Green Party, and Adrian Amer, an independent representing Castle in Newark, have both resigned from their positions on the council.
Cllr Oldham was elected in 2023 and stood for the Independents for Newark and District group, before she quit to join the Green Party in September last year.
She had further stood as a portfolio holder covering the environment and climate.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday (September 2) she said: “For those who know me well, you will understand that I have been living with a health condition that I was diagnosed with not long after being elected.
“I have worked hard to try and ensure this did not affect my role, but over time, it has become increasingly challenging.
“Many days have stretched to 16 hours without pause. Too often, I have missed my children’s bedtimes and found myself pulled between competing responsibilities.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent my ward over the past two years. I will always be grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me, who came to me with their concerns, and who shared their ideas and hopes for our community. Your support has meant more than I can put into words.”
Mr Amer had similarly stood for the grass-roots Independents for Newark and District group upon his election in 2023, before he too defected to stand independent of any group.
The practising barrister also stood as an independent candidate in the 2024 General Election.
Mr Amer has been contacted for comment, but it is understood he stepped down for “personal reasons”.
Speaking of their resignations, council leader Cllr Paul Peacock (Lab) said: “I would like to say a personal thank you to councillor Emma Oldham and councillor Adrian Amer for their time spent serving the residents of Newark and Sherwood District Council.
“Emma has represented the Balderton North & Coddington ward and served as portfolio holder for biodiversity and environmental services, and later as portfolio holder for climate and the environment, between 2023 and 2024, making valuable contributions to our environmental work.
“Adrian has represented Castle ward and carried out important work on behalf of residents there.
“While their reasons for stepping down are due to personal commitments, I want to thank them both for all their hard work.”
Ben Gray, the Green Party East Midlands co-chair, added: “We’re sad to be losing Emma as a councillor. She’s been dedicated and hard-working and has shown what a Green councillor can deliver for her local area.
“We understand that health and family are her top priority and fully support her decision to step down from the council.”
Details of the by-elections for each ward will be announced in due course.
