Prominent member of council stands down

Lizzy Bowen had been a councillor for a decade but said she had "commitments abroad"

A former deputy council leader has stepped down as a councillor with immediate effect.

Conservative Lizzy Bowen, who represented the Nene Valley ward at West Northamptonshire Council, cited work commitments abroad as to why she has resigned.

"I have had an amazing 10 years working in local and national politics... my commitments abroad sadly mean I cannot give the support my residents need," she said.

She was deputy leader of now-defunct Northamptonshire County Council which was replaced by the current unitary authority system in the county in 2021.

Adam Brown, Conservative leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: "Lizzy has a distinguished track record in local government, and her knowledge and experience will be sorely missed.

"I hope that she will look back on her achievements with pride, and I wish her the very best for the future."

Bowen’s career in local government began with her election to South Northamptonshire Council in 2015.

She was elected to Northamptonshire County Council in 2017, where she rose to serve as a cabinet member before being promoted to deputy leader.

As a councillor on West Northamptonshire Council she served on three committees, including two licensing committees.

There will be no by-election in Nene ward, as elections are due to take place across the whole council in May.