Croydon to hold by elections after three councillors resign
By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter
A series of by-elections will take place in Croydon as three long-standing councillors have announced they are resigning from the job.
Two Conservative councillors, Steve O’Connell and Vidhi Mohan will stand down in May.
Labour’s Jane Avis has already left the council.
It follows the resignations of former leader Tony Newman and former cabinet member Simon Hall who were in charge in the lead up to the council’s financial collapse.
None of three latest resignations are thought to be related to the crisis at the council.
Steve O’Connell represented Kenley since 2002 and has also represented Croydon and Sutton as a GLA Member at City Hall since 2008. He is stepping down from both roles in May to retire from public life.
He said: “After 19 years serving the good people of Kenley, it’s time for me to move on and hand the baton to a new councillor. It has been an absolute privilege.”
While Vidhi Mohan was elected at a by-election for Fairfield ward in 2005 and has represented Park Hill and Whitgift following the 2018 boundary changes.
He said: “Due to increasing demands in my professional life, I’ve decided that it’s in the best interests of my family and my residents that I stand down from Croydon Council.
“I am sad to be ending my role as a Conservative councillor, but my residents deserve a representative who can give them the time and care they need. I want to thank all local people in Park Hill & Whitgift and Croydon town centre for putting their faith in me to represent them for the last 16 years.”
Jane Avis has represented the South Norwood ward for the past 23 years and says she has stepped down due to personal reasons.
A Croydon Labour spokesperson said: “Jane has resigned for personal reasons and leaves the Council after 23 years’ dedicated service to the residents of South Norwood.
“She will be much missed by her colleagues and we wish her well for the future.”
A total of five by-elections will take place on May 6, the same day as the London mayoral elections.
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