Two councillors to step down at next local election

Two community stalwarts have announced they will not be standing in the next local council election.

Sam Rumens, representing Kingsthorpe North on West Northamptonshire Council, said he will be stepping down at the May 2025 local elections to focus on his accountancy career.

Corby councillor David Sims, who serves on North Northamptonshire Council, will also step down after announcing his retirement from public service.

Mr Rumens said his departure comes after being promoted to a senior director role in his chartered accountancy firm.

"The decision has been one I have wrestled for months now," he said.

"I can no longer balance my day job with this public service passion. I cannot do something if 100% commitment is not possible".

Mr Rumens has been a Conservative Northamptonshire councillor since 2017 and plans to be "as involved and active" in his final months in the role.

He said it had been the "honour of his life to help, work, debate and engage with thousands".

"Though the next few years will be spent focused on my private sector career, I still hold out some hope to return to public service again in the future," he said.

Mr Sims, who has been a Conservative councillor in Northamptonshire for 17 years, said it had been "an absolute privilege and honour to serve such wonderful people".

Last year, he resigned from the Tory group to join Labour because he did not believe that the party had the town's "best interest at heart".

The leader of the Labour group, councillor Matt Keane, said he "was so pleased" when Mr Sims joined Labour.

"He was a very well-respected councillor and was well known for being a campaigner for Corby," he said.

"I always admired him for how he put his love of Corby above party politics.

"David was a very welcome addition to the Labour group and it's important that his long public service is recognised."

Mr Sims added: "I would like to thank all the people who have supported me through the years, and of course, my wife Daniela and family."

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