BELLE Vale councillor Laura Taylor has announced she is standing down at the 2020 local elections as she prepares to marry a rock musician.

The 28-year-old conservative councillor, who is also Dudley Council's cabinet member for housing and community safety, said she had taken the decision to spend more time with her family as she prepares to get married next year. 

She will tie the knot to Chris Childs, who is bass player for rock band Thunder, next year.

Laura, who works for Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier in his constituency office, said “Serving Belle Vale residents for the last four years has been a privilege.

"Being a councillor has given me the opportunity to work on local projects and help to improve housing services across the borough. “I will certainly miss being a councillor, but I know that we have a really energetic young team in Belle Vale who will continue working for local residents.

“Whilst I’ll be stepping down from the council, I plan to carry on being active in the community whilst also having the chance to spend more time with my family and fiancé.”

Laura is granddaughter of stalwart Halesowen councillor Alan Taylor, who was Mayor of Dudley last year. 

Local community campaigner Daniel Bevan has been selected to contest Belle Vale ward for The Conservatives at the next election.

Daniel, who is a Windsor Road resident and secondary school teacher in Rowley Regis, is also a committee member of the Hasbury Community Association.

Speaking after his selection, Daniel said “I’m delighted to have been chosen to represent my local community in Belle Vale.

“Picking up from Laura isn’t going to be easy, but I’ve already been involved with community work for several years and I know that our team in the ward will be carrying on with the hard work local residents expect.

“I’ll be standing up for the issues that really matter to local residents in the run up to the election, particularly issues such as protecting our green spaces, improving road safety and keeping our community safe.”

Belle Vale's three councillors are all Conservatives. Jake Cooper and Simon Phipps are the other two Belle Vale councillors.