Councillor Manuel Abellan to step down after eight years

Councillor Manuel Abellan, Deputy Leader of the Council and Chair of the Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee has announced he will step down as a councillor from Sunday 30 January 2022 due to starting a new job and family.  

In his resignation letter, Councillor Abellan looked back on the Council’s key achievements such as winning new funding to improve Sutton town centre, new energy-efficient council homes and ongoing work to create a world-leading London Cancer Hub in Belmont. 

He also thanked council staff, residents and other colleagues for their huge contribution in making Sutton a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Councillor Abellan was elected as one of the local representatives for Beddington South ward in May 2014. He has been a Sutton councillor for eight years and was elected Chair of the Council’s Environment & Neighbourhood Committee in May 2018.

As the resignation is within six months of the next local elections in May 2022, there is no requirement to hold a by-election to fill the councillor vacancy. The current Vice-Chair of the Environment & Sustainable Transport Committee, Councillor Ben Andrew, will step into the Committee Chair’s role until the May elections.

Councillor Abellan said about his decision to stand down as a Sutton councillor:

“As many people will know, my partner is expecting a baby in the next few weeks and we will be starting on the big adventure of starting a family. 

“I have also now secured a new job which I will be starting immediately and this means I, sadly, cannot continue in my role as an elected councillor. 

“The last 18 months have been particularly challenging because of the pandemic, but I am so proud that time and again the Council and our local partners continue to rise to the challenge and make a positive difference. Their work is invaluable to ensure that our residents have a good quality of life, opportunities, access to decent jobs and services.

”It's no surprise that more and more people are now choosing Sutton as a great place to live, work and raise a family. As a local resident, I look forward to seeing the Council’s exciting plans for the future of our borough become a reality.” 

Councillor Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council, said: 

“We wish Manuel all the best in the future. He should be extremely proud of all he has helped us achieve in Sutton. His work and commitment to the borough has helped keep it a great place to live and work and he will be sorely missed.”