A Barrow councillor is resigning as he is set to move to Australia.
Niyall Phillips was due to step down from Westmorland and Furness Council and Barrow Town Council yesterday, April 10
Cllr Phillips, who works for BAE Systems in Barrow, will be transferring to Australia to work for two years.
He has represented the ward of Hawcoat and Newbarns on both councils for four years.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he said: “It is exciting, I have not been to Australia before, to move to a new country next Wednesday will be good and challenging.
“It is a bit disappointing to be leaving, but when an opportunity comes up, sometimes you have got to look at things a bit differently.
“The opportunity to go to Australia for two years, with the same employer, is not something that comes about often.”
But he said that, in the long term, he would like to return as a councillor, and said it had been a real privilege to represent residents.
Cllr Phillips said: “I have really enjoyed doing the things that I have done in council. It has got its frustrations, the pace and will of some things to happen.
“The one-way system at Newbarns Primary School, we first asked for that four years ago.
“But it is the little wins, you feel like you are making a difference.
“There are things that you never think will ever happen.
“A really weird one was when the Queen passed away, as councillors we were invited to witness the proclamation of the new King in an official capacity.
“Signing the Armed Forces Covenant, we are seen as having some of the best practice in the country to do with the armed forces, which is something I have led the way on with council officers.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has asked Westmorland and Furness Council and Barrow Town Council for confirmation that by-elections will be triggered as a result of Cllr Phillips’ resignation.
