COUNTY council leader Ian Hudspeth has called for a “serious discussion” about the role of councillors.

He was speaking after Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for finance, Arash Fatemian, announced that he was standing down to concentrate on his career and family.

Mr Fatemian, 32, will remain a county councillor for Deddington but said it would be difficult for him to hold his cabinet position and dedicate enough time to his responsibilities outside of the council. He has been replaced by Bicester councillor Lawrie Stratford.

Mr Hudspeth said: “I am disappointed that Arash is standing down. He has been an excellent member of the cabinet but I understand his reasons for doing so.

“At some stage we have got to have a very serious discussion as to the role of councillors.”

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