Reform UK councillor backtracks on resignation, despite ‘deep frustration’ with council system

West Northants councillor Adrian Little told the media he had tendered his 'immediate resignation' from the authority, but his party has since confirmed it had been withdrawn

Nadia Lincoln Local Democracy Reporter | Wednesday 10th December 2025 1:58pm

A Reform UK councillor has backtracked on his resignation from West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), after announcing to the media that he had decided to quit the role “with immediate effect”.

In an email sent to the media on Monday (December 8), Cllr Adrian Little said he had tendered his resignation as a Reform UK councillor for the Towcester Ward, explaining he had “deep frustration” with the structural failings of council systems.

However, his party and the council have since confirmed that Cllr Little will not be stepping back from his role as an elected member.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that a formal letter of resignation was submitted to WNC, however it was not sent to the “proper officer” before the councillor changed his mind. This means that his resignation was not accepted, and he can still continue in the position.

In his original statement announcing his immediate resignation, Cllr Little noted his “strong personal support” for Reform UK and the council leader, but added that he “cannot, in good conscience, continue to draw an allowance while being part of a system that offers residents so little genuine influence or value for money”.

All elected members receive a basic annual allowance of £16,053. Any member can voluntarily forgo all or part of their allowance by notifying the Monitoring Officer in writing - Cllr Little has since told the LDRS that he has decided to stop taking any further councillor allowance payments from now on.

Mr Little’s full statement to the media read: “Today I have tendered my resignation as Reform UK councillor for Towcester Ward with immediate effect.

“My decision is driven solely by my deep frustration with the structural failings of large unitary councils, and has nothing to do with the current political leadership of West Northamptonshire Council.

“On the contrary, I want to place on record my strong personal support for the Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Arnull, and for Reform UK’s growing presence in local government. Mark has shown real courage in taking tough decisions and in speaking plainly about the financial reality facing our communities, something that has been sorely lacking for years.

“Reform UK’s straightforward, common-sense approach is exactly what local government needs more of, and I am encouraged by the fresh energy they are bringing to West Northamptonshire.

“My criticisms are aimed squarely at the system itself: excessive internal bureaucracy that serves officers more than residents, three councillors for Towcester costing taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds a year with virtually no power to get things done, and the recruitment of a new Chief Executive on a package exceeding £200,000 plus pension at a time when services are being cut and council tax is rising again.

“These are long-standing, structural problems that pre-date the current administration and would exist no matter which party was in control. I simply cannot, in good conscience, continue to draw an allowance while being part of a system that offers residents so little genuine influence or value for money.

“The people of Towcester and West Northamptonshire, and indeed the country, deserve better from the people elected and employed to serve them.”

The Towcester ward member was elected to WNC in the May local elections and has been in post for just over seven months. He sits on full council, the pensions fund committee, and serves as vice-chair for the audit and governance committee.

A WNC spokesperson said that under s.84 of the Local Government Act 1972, the law requires that “a person elected to any office under this Act may at any time resign his office by written notice delivered… to the proper officer of the council… and his resignation shall take effect upon the receipt of the notice by the person or body to whom it is required to be delivered”. This would be the Head of Democratic and Elections, as set out in the council’s constitution.

“Both of these criteria need to be met for the resignation to take effect. This was not the case,” they explained. They did not confirm who the resignation letter was sent to and refused to provide the LDRS a copy of the correspondence.

Responding to questions on his decision to stay in the role, Cllr Little said: "I obviously still have concerns about the internal operations of the council, but after thinking it through (and maybe a little arm twisting), I have been convinced I can do more for residents by staying and pushing for improvements from the inside. 

"To make sure there's no perception of personal gain while these issues remain, I've decided to stop taking any further councillor allowance payments from now on. It's a small gesture, a drop in the ocean, but I hope it shows I'm serious about putting residents first and continuing to push for better services and efficiency."

Cllr Mark Arnull, leader of WNC and the Reform group, said: “Cllr Little’s withdrawn resignation is a sad indictment of the state of local government after years of managed decline.

“I’m thrilled that Cllr Little is staying to serve the residents of Towcester Ward with a renewed focus on exposing the structural failings of local government. West Northants Council is an example of a well-run Council, but there is extensive work that needs to take place in demonstrating tangible improvements and change for our residents.

“We said it the campaign, and we’ll keep saying it in the run up to local elections in neighbouring areas in May 2026: Local Government is Broken and Reform UK is the only party serious about fixing it.

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