A former Orkney councillor has apologised for sparking a by-election and has offered to pay a contribution towards the cost.
Jack Moodie, who represented the Kirkwall West and Orphir ward until Monday, said one of the reasons he resigned was because he was fed up with having to deal with slow moving bureaucracy.
He added that standing down would enable him to devote more time to his farm and gardening business, and wife and children.
Mr Moodie said: “I have a busy life. I have a business, a family, I was a councillor and I just felt that my priorities were to focus on the business and family.
“I felt I was more likely to achieve things by doing that than persisting at being a councillor.
“I was a councillor for 11 years in total and councils work quite slowly and bureaucratically as does government.
“And it takes a fair bit for someone who works for themselves to cope with a slow bureaucratic system.
“I did it for a lot of years but I have just come to the stage where I feel I am not prepared to work in that system anymore.”
Mr Moodie, of Skeetquoy, Tankerness, said being a councillor was a demanding and worthwhile job, and would encourage people to consider the position.
He added that the local authority was run by hard working people who cared about the county.
Mr Moodie said: “I have always tried to be a low cost councillor.
“To maintain that principle I intend to make a contribution towards the cost of this extra election – at the time.
“I apologise for the extra hassle and administration.”
No date has been set for a by-election but it has to be held within three months.
Council leader Stephen Heddle said: “I am sorry Jack has decided to stand down because he has been both a good councillor and a good friend to me during our time on the council.
“While the latter won’t change, his contribution as a councillor will be missed.
“I’m pleased that Jack has acknowledged that the council is run by people who work hard and care about what is best for the county and that he’d encourage community minded people to consider standing as councillors.
“I fully respect his decision and wish him all the best for the future.”