Councillor Martyn Rush who represents the ward of Barton and Sandhills on Oxford City Council has announced he will be stepping down as a councillor for work and family reasons.
Councillor Rush, who was elected in 2018 and is member of the Labour Group on the Council, has also served as the City Council’s Oxford Living Wage Champion.
All out elections using the new ward boundaries approved by the Boundary Commission were due to take place in May 2020, but were postponed to May 2021 by Government as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government has also confirmed that no by-elections may be held before that date and so the seat will remain vacant. Barton and Sandhills ward continues to be represented by Councillor Mike Rowley.
The Council Leader Susan Brown, who also holds the Cabinet portfolio for Economic Development and Partnerships will take over Cllr Rush’s work on the Oxford Living Wage.
“I have been proud to live in Barton and serve the community for the duration of my term, and I wish to thank the residents of Barton and Sandhills for their support. It has been a privilege to serve the ward. The Council has forged great partnerships in Barton and Sandhills and with local community groups achieved some real change, and it has been great to see that up close. I have also been proud to serve in this Labour Council, a Council I believe to be one of the most progressive and innovative in the country.
“Seeing the communities of Barton and Sandhills come together recently and rally around each other has been inspiring, and the ward is ready to build back even better.”
Councillor Martyn Rush
“I know I speak for many people in Oxford when I say Martyn will be very much missed. He has been an excellent ward councillor, serving his constituents well and working hard in the local community. He is also widely known for his work as our Oxford Living Wage Champion. His work, alongside that of the local campaign and council officers, has helped expand the number of employers in Oxford paying their staff at this level.”
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council
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