Colchester's MP Pam Cox has stood down as a city councillor a year after being elected to Parliament.
Ms Cox, the Labour MP for Colchester, has stepped down from her role as city councillor for New Town and Christ Church as of today.
Ms Cox said she decided to step down now because it is the beginning of the new Parliamentary year.
Parliament returned from recess this Monday.
Ms Cox, who was first elected as councillor in May 2021, said she wanted to remain a councillor in the run-up to the planning appeal for the ABRO site, which began in July.
This was “to ensure the best outcome for the site of Colchester’s Roman Circus."
On being elected as MP, Ms Cox gave up her councillor allowance of £7,576 per year.
Ms Cox said: “It has been a huge honour to represent the ward where I have lived for over twenty years.
“New Town and Christ Church is a lovely, vibrant ward with a very strong spirit. There is always something happening – last week alone we had the New Town Community Day and a workday at the Irvine Road Orchard, among other events.”
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Ms Cox added: “It has been very helpful to be able to combine my work as an MP with my role as a councillor for the past year.
“It has enabled me to liaise more effectively between national and local government. I have learnt a lot from my fellow councillors – from all political parties – and I will continue to draw on that knowledge and experience in Westminster. I will continue to keep in close contact with the council leadership, particularly in the run-up to local government re-organisation.”
Ms Cox also said she has benefited from the enthusiasm of staff and volunteers at dozens of organisations, from churches to the champions of our historic garrison and Roman Circus.
She added: “It has been a pleasure and an honour to work with them, alongside my fellow local councillors.”
Ms Cox, who will formally resign on September 8, was portfolio holder for culture and heritage for the year in which Colchester was granted city status.
This included events such as the re-enactment of the Siege of Colchester, as well as working with the Beth Chatto Garden to help deliver the Meanwhile Garden near FirstSite.
Ms Cox also served on the council’s Policy Panel and Environment Panel.
Julie Young, leader of the council’s Labour Group, said: “We thank Pam for her service as a councillor.
“We will miss her in the Council Chamber but totally appreciate the demands of her new role where her primary focus must be. We are looking forward to continuing to work with her as Colchester’s MP.”
Ms Cox's decision to stay on as councillor after election to Parliament is not unusual in the city with both her predecessors Will Quince and Bob Russell also continuing.
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