Bayswater north ward councillor Brent Fleeton resigns from the council

BAYSWATER north ward councillor and planning and development services committee chair Brent Fleeton has resigned from the council, due to increased work commitments.

Cr Fleeton, who was elected in October 2015, advised chief executive Andrew Brien of his resignation from his position, as effective as June 29, 5pm.

The council will consider the implications of Cr Fleeton’s resignation at the June 26 council meeting.

In a public Facebook post, Cr Fleeton said he decided to step down because of increased working hours while setting up his own business.

“When I ran for election in 2015, I didn’t fully appreciate what the role entailed,” he said.

“The complexities and the demands were something I was happy to carry while raising issues I campaigned on and pressing the City on things I believe a lot of people cared about in the wider community.

“Over the past few weeks, I have increasingly found myself working long days and nights setting up my own business.

“That meant I was not dedicating sufficient time towards the role of representing ratepayers and residents in the City of Bayswater.

“Add in the goal of trying to be reasonably healthy and staying mentally fit, something had to give.”

Cr Fleeton said he would attend his last full council meeting on June 26.

“It’s not fair on the community I am supposed to be serving week-in week-out to be increasingly disengaged from what’s happening locally, so with that in mind I have decided to step down as a north ward councillor at the end of next week,” he said.

“Thank you to friends and family who have supported me over the past few years.

“Thank you to council and the staff for their professionalism and hard work.”

Mayor Dan Bull thanked Cr Fleeton for his service to the community over the past two-and-a-half years.

“I respect Cr Fleeton’s decision to step down from the role of north ward councillor to focus on his work commitments,” he said.

“Cr Fleeton was elected to represent the City of Bayswater’s north ward in October 2015.

“Since then Cr Fleeton has been committed to keeping rates low and ensuring local government remains focused on the delivery of core services valued by its community.

“A firm believer of transparent and open governance, Cr Fleeton championed a caretaker policy in the lead up to local government elections.

“I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”