WINKLEBURY councillor Joseph Smith has resigned from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC).

Cllr Smith was elected to represent the Winklebury ward of the council in 2015, when he receive d 1,404 votes – beating Labour’ s Barnaby Wheller, Phil Heath of UKIP and the Liberal Democrats’ candidate Michael BerwickGooding.

His resignation means a byelection will be held to determine Cllr Smith’ s successor, which will tak e place within 35 working days of tw o electors for the area submitting a request to BDBC.

Cllr Smith was a former Conservative political assistant at the borough council before standing for the Tory party.

Deputy leader of BDBC, Cllr Terri Reid said: “It’s sad and a shame.

“Joseph had huge potential, but it can’t be forgotten that councillors have live s outside of the council.

“He has made the decision that it is time for a fresh start and we respect that.”

She added: “He was an active councillor, but in Winklebury there is another fantastic councillor in Laura Edwards who has worked incredibly hard and is hugely popular with residents .

“Although Joe has gone and will not be replaced until the by-election, Winklebury residents won’t be left on their own as they have Laura.”

BDBC issued a notice to confirm Cllr Smith’s resignation on January 5. A statement released by Basingstoke Labour councillors said: “Well it looks like another Tory councillor is up and leaving Winklebury.”

It added: “This is a real blow for Winklebury and its residents which now, more than at any other time, needs a strong, local voice fighting for them.

“Whether it’s the upkeep of the pavements and parks, residents parking or the future of the Winklebury Centre, there is much more that the council can be doing and that’s without all of the issues and opportunities coming down the track because of the Manydown development.

“If our information is right then Winklebury residents are being left in the lurch.

“We will be fighting hard for this seat if a byelection is called as Winklebury needs a strong, consistent advocate, not another councillor who does a year or two and then moves on.”

The Gazette attempted to contact Cllr Smith but requests for comment were not responded to.