On Monday (March 14), Joseph Miller, Conservative councillor for Peacehaven West, announced his resignation from his seat with ‘immediate effect’.
In a statement, Mr Miller, 27, said his decision had been made with ‘great regret’, but that he felt he no longer had the time available for the job as a result of changes to his personal circumstances.
He said: “It is with great regret that I have decided to resign from the council with immediate effect today.
“This is because of personal reasons and the fact that it has become increasingly clear that I no longer have the time required to perform the public duty that it is, as my consultancy work increases.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the residents of Peacehaven West for the past three years, and to chair the scrutiny committee which I have led in doing some very important work.
“I wish all of the residents of Peacehaven and Lewes District well for the future.”
The resignation will trigger a by-election, likely to be held on May 5th alongside other local council elections around England.
Until then, the council is made up of: 18 Conservative, nine Liberal Democrat, eight Green, three Labour and two Independent councillors.
Mr Miller has also resigned his seat on Brighton and Hove City Council, where he had been a councillor since 2015.
For the latest breaking news where you live in Sussex, follow us on Twitter @Sussex_World and like us on Facebook @SussexWorldUK