A former headteacher and Ofsted inspector wants to become the first Reform UK councillor on Rutland's largest council. 

Declan McCarthy has put himself on the candidates list in the by-election which has been called following the departure of the council's only Green Party councillor last month. 

He is a former teacher, headteacher and long-standing Ofsted inspector and now works as an education consultant and is director of an independent school for pupils with special educational needs. 

A statement issued by the local party said: "Declan has a great deal of experience serving on governing bodies both within the maintained and independent school sectors, in various capacities as a parent governor, a foundation governor and a community governor in different schools. 

"He has exceptional spoken and written communication skills; extensive experience in the private and public sectors; the ability to provide robust challenge to officers and fellow councillors on policy decisions; and the ability to conduct rigorous and analytical reviews to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money." 

Besides politics he has an interesting in singing, gardening and cooking. He also has a rescue dog Ollie and is a grandfather. 

The party said: "Declan is fully committed to Reform UK's values of putting the interests of the family, the local community, and the country first by applying common sense solutions to policies which seek to restore our country to greatness and prosperity. 

"Declan is aware of a lot of the issues that concern Barleythorpe residents, including, flooding, new housing developments, roads and pavements and of course the unaffordable council tax levels, but plans to learn as much as possible as he intends to set up local surgeries where residents can come and meet him to express any concerns about council services or issues in Barleythorpe or just to pop in for a chat while they are out and about." 

The election is on 24th July and the results will be known the next day. Other candidates are: Andrew Dinsmore, Conservative; and Jonathan Nichols for the Liberal Democrats and Independent Andy Burton.