Rutland County Council's only Green councillor has quit the authority. 

The authority released a statement this afternoon to say Councillor Hans Zollinger-Ball, who represents Barleythorpe, has stepped down from Rutland County Council, with immediate effect. 

Mr Zollinger-Ball was one of two councillors for Barleythorpe Ward and has resigned due to family commitments. His resignation was received and accepted by Rutland County Council today (Thursday, June 5). 

A notice of vacancy for Barleythorpe Ward has been published on the Council's website and a by-election will be triggered if the council receives requests for an election from two local electors. Once these requests are received, an election must take place within 35 working days. 

Cllr Gale Waller, Leader of Rutland County Council (Lib Dem), said: "I would like to thank Coun Zollinger-Ball for all that he has done as both a Rutland county councillor and ward member for Barleythorpe. He has worked diligently on behalf of his constituents and wider communities, while showing great passion and commitment for environmental issues and our response to the climate emergency."