PCC to quit councillor role following public outrage (From Watford Observer)

Police and crime commissioner David Lloyd to quit councillor role following public outrage

1:30pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News By Ben Endley, Senior reporter

Hertfordshire’s police and crime commissioner David Lloyd has admitted public outrage helped sway his decision to stand down as a Dacorum Borough Councillor - but says he will be seeking re-election as a county councillor.

Mr Lloyd was widely condemned by readers and opposition politicians after the Watford Observer revealed he intended to continue the roles on both councils after being elected to the newly-created £75,000-a-year police role in November 2012.

Mr Lloyd has not yet resigned as a councillor for Watling Ward but said he intends to do so "in due course" so a by-election can be held at the same time as the county council elections on May 2.

Mr Lloyd said: "I have listened to what people have said to me and do not make a knee-jerk reaction.

"There was some discontent that I was staying on but what I didn’t want to do is stand down early and trigger a by-election which would have cost the taxpayer more money.

"I intend to stand again as a county councillor and I hope people will decide I give them good value.

"On being a borough councillor, it’s a far smaller area and far more difficult to justify doing that as well. Stepping down frees up extra time.

"In terms of hours per week I think most people who know me will know I work hard at whatever I do.

"But it’s not just about what you can do, it’s about what people think you can do."

Mr Lloyd recently lost his deputy commissioner Rachel Frosh who stepped down after controversy surrounding her decision to re-tweet a picture and quote from Adolf Hitler on her Twitter account.

It was revealed last week chief executive Andrew White also intends to stand down at the end of the month.