A HEREFORDSHIRE councillor has left the Liberal Democrats as he is fed up with national polictics.

Councillor Paul Symonds, for Ross East, has joined Independents for Herefordshire on Herefordshire Council.

He said national party politics was "not particularly helpful" in local government so he would be standing for re-election next May as an independent councillor.

"I’ve enjoyed working with John Harrington [group leader for Independents for Herefordshire and cabinet member for infrastructure and transport] over the last couple of years so it makes sense to build on this relationship by joining Independents for Herefordshire before the campaign season is upon us.”

Coun Harrington said: “I am very pleased Paul is joining the Independents for Herefordshire, as are the rest of the group and our coalition partners.

"Slightly unusually, Paul has already officially worked as a cabinet support member alongside me for a couple of years, despite being in 'opposition' to the coalition.

"His experience, knowledge, and support, drawing on over 30 years in local government elsewhere as an officer has been greatly appreciated and extremely valuable. Their loss is our gain.”

Coun Symonds has 32 years’ experience as a local government officer leading services including waste, highways and environmental health.

He is also a qualified executive coach, action learning facilitator and Bikeability instructor who moved to the Ross-on-Wye East ward in 1999.

He became a town councillor in June 2019 and in his spare time enjoys rowing and cycling.