LIBERAL Democrat councillor Peter Fielding will stand down from his role in May - and he feels he succeeded in his promise to ‘stand up to Labour’.
Peter was elected as the councillor for the Dodworth ward back in 2019 - and his son, Will Fielding, was elected in the same ward last year.
However due to ‘increasing family and care responsibilities’, he told the Chronicle he will step down in May and not seek re-election.
He said: “Standing up for people in Dodworth, Pogmoor, Higham, Gilroyd and Gawber at Barnsley Town Hall has been an enormous privilege over the last four years.
“I have always fought for residents’ voices to be heard on a range of issues throughout my term as councillor and I am forever thankful for their support.
“Our communities are an absolute pleasure to represent.
“People here are kind and look out for one another - there is a real community spirit.
“I’ve seen that in my work with the dedicated community groups across the ward.
“One of my proudest achievements was to have secured a fairer rate for all residents on the council’s district heating schemes as well as the work I have done to improve recycling rates and air quality.
“When I won here in 2019, it was on a promise of standing up to Barnsley Labour.
“The Lib Dems are now the official opposition in the town hall, and their challenge is needed more than ever.
“However, I have increasing family and caring responsibilities, which will make it difficult for me to continue to be the hard working and diligent councillor that I have tried to be and that our area deserves.”
