Today Jill Caudle, District Councillor for Valley Ward in Caterham has announced her decision to resign.

Jill says “I have made the difficult decision to resign as District Councillor.  I have had the privilege of representing Caterham Valley on Tandridge Council for the last 16 years.  I have lived and worked in or very near Caterham all my life.  For those who know me, you will know that I now have no family left in the area, so have made the decision to move closer to my sister.”

“This has not been an easy decision.  At the last election I won by only 24 votes and I wanted to repay the confidence that the residents had placed in me and continue to represent the ward for the rest of my term of office, but it isn’t practical for me and not fair on the those who voted for me.”

“I want to thank the people of Caterham for all the support they have given me over the years.”

There will be a by-election called by Tandridge to replace Jill on the council.  The date will be announced shortly.  Locally the Liberal Democrat members have selected local resident Dorinda Cooper to stand to continue working hard for local residents.

Dorinda Cooper has been working closely with Caterham Valley Councillor Alun Jones and Jill looking at the issues that we face in the Valley. Jill said, “I am confident that she will challenge the council with the Valleys best interests at heart.”

Dorinda Cooper is a local campaigner from Caterham Valley who lives on Godstone Road.  She works as a medical writer and will be a fantastic addition to the hardworking local Liberal Democrat team.

Dorinda Cooper is going to campaign on parking issues faced in Caterham Valley. She is very concerned about the Conservatives’ Local Plan to build many more houses in our area and will work hard to stop over-development in Caterham Valley while making sure we have enough homes for our young people and families.  She wants to protect our green spaces especially the small parks and green hillsides of our valley.

Alun Jones Councillor for Valley Ward alongside Jill says “Jill resigning will be a massive loss to the people of Caterham, but I understand her reasons for going.  I will miss her both as a colleague on the Council and as a friend living just down the road.”