The chairman of a local council has resigned from his role and seat.

Three Rivers District Council chairman Phil Williams, who represents Chorleywood and Maple Cross, has resigned his seat on the local authority.

Mr Williams said that he was resigning for personal reasons and hoped to spend more time with his family.

He is also a councillor for Three Rivers Rural at Hertfordshire County Council. He has not resigned from this role.

Cllr Williams said: “I’m sorry to go but something had to give, and I have decided to step down to spend more time with my family.

“The workload became too much.”

He added that it had been a “privilege and pleasure” to represent Chorleywood and Maple Cross and that he was “very proud” of what he achieved over seven years on the council.

Watford Observer: Cllr Phil Williams at a recent event.Cllr Phil Williams at a recent event. (Image: Three Rivers District Council)The Liberal Democrat representative took his seat on the county council in 2018 after being first elected to the district council in 2017, having been a lifelong Three Rivers resident.

A Three Rivers District Council spokesperson said: "Phil Williams has stepped down as Three Rivers District Council's member for Chorleywood South and Maple Cross and as the council's chair for personal reasons, enabling him to spend more time with his family.

"A new chair will be appointed in due course."

Council leader Sarah Nelmes said: “We are very sad that such a hard-working councillor has left.”

“He is still a valued member of the team and will continue to be so for the residents because he worked so hard for them,” the Liberal Democrat added.