**North Baddesley Councillor, Simon Cross resigns**
It's always sad when one of your colleagues has to stand down due to ill health. That's what happened yesterday when Lib Dem Cllr Simon Cross resigned from Test Valley Borough Council.
Simon represented North Baddesley and was elected in 2019. He's not been able to attend council meetings for some time and therefore has decided to resign his seat. Although we were from different parties I very much valued the contributions Simon made, they were erudite, well-informed and constructive. He'll be missed and I wish him a full and speedy recovery from the ill health that has hindered his involvement.
The Conservatives will of course be contesting the by-election, I hope with a candidate who lives in North Baddesley itself. Neither of the remaining councillors for the ward lives there and nor does the candidate so far declared.
Frankly, I think it is more important that a truly local candidate is elected to represent the village, regardless of their political colour.
