Tom Garrod

He made political history as a fresh-faced 19-year-old, becoming the youngest person ever to represent Great Yarmouth at County Hall.

But as his four-year term as county councillor for Yarmouth North and Central division draws to a close, Tom Garrod has indicated he will not be standing for re-election.

The cerebral palsy sufferer says he has learnt a lot in his role and is grateful to all who voted for him in 2009.

However his personal circumstances have changed, and he says it would be “unfair” for him to seek a second term in Yarmouth.

“The majority of my family work in Norwich and my dad works offshore, so I want to relocate,” he explained. “I said it would be unfair on the people of Yarmouth for me to stand for re-election from Norwich in Yarmouth.”

He currently lives in Ormesby, but wants to base himself in Norwich and has been selected by Broadland Conservatives as the candidate for Wroxham division.

“I feel I’ve learnt a lot and have a lot more to give to Norfolk,” added Mr Garrod. “I hold the position of deputy cabinet member for vulnerable children and am doing good work there for disabled children, and I want to have the time to continue that.

“I’m ready for new challenges and to hand over to whoever the public elect in Yarmouth on May 2.”

He said among the issues he lobbied on while in Yarmouth were speeding and potholes.

The Tories have named their candidate for Yarmouth North and Central division, vying to be Mr Garrod’s successor.

Penny Carpenter, a former police officer who lives in Collingwood Road, will be standing in his place.

Full county council elections take place every four years, with 84 seats up for grabs on Thursday, May 2.

Divisions have up to 10,000 voters each, and the last election was in June 2009.

Mr Garrod became the youngest person to ever represent Yarmouth at County Hall when he triumphed over Labour’s long serving councillor Michael Taylor in that election.

He gained 1,001 votes compared to Mr Taylor’s 856.

Speaking after the victory he said: “I care passionately about Yarmouth and I will do my bit to promote the town. I intend to be a great ambassador for young people on the county council.

“Young people tend to get a bad press because of ASBOs, but it is great that we will now have that section of the community represented in politics.”

The 23-year-old is the nephew of Paul Garrod, a member of the Caister independent lifeboat crew and a former mayor of Yarmouth.

Further details on who is standing for the county council elections will be printed in the Mercury in the coming months.