A DORSET County Councillor has stepped down from council with immediate effect due to working commitments.

Yesterday the county council confirmed that labour councillor Dan Brember, member for the Rodwell electoral division in Weymouth since 2013, was stepping down.

He has been serving on the Children’s and Adult Services Appeals Committee and the Children’s Services Overview Committee.

Speaking to the Echo regarding stepping down, Dan Brember said: “With my working commitments over the last nine months or so, I can’t give the attention and facilities that is required in the role without compromising my other work.

“For those reasons I have decided to step down.

“I’m very grateful I have been given the opportunity and glad that residents in Rodwell voted for me to represent them; it’s been a great and interesting couple of years.”

Mr Brember also spoke of his personal highlights during his two years on the council.

He added: “It’s been good to see the local community get involved with the running of the council and it’s been a privilege to be part of the committee for the Steps Youth Club – those are my two real highlights during my time as county councillor.”

Earlier this month the Echo revealed how youth services across the county face the axe in the latest round of cost-cutting.

Dorset County Council announced that budget reductions and increased demand mean it 'simply cannot continue' as it is.

A six-week consultation has now begun and the council says it can run a more effective service by focusing on prevention.

DCC's children’s services budget, currently £57 million, will have reduced by at least £5m in 2017, and by the same again – or more – by 2020. Currently, £2.2m is spent on youth services and needs to be reduced by at least £1m.

Mr Brember called for his replacement on the county council to ‘help safeguard’ Dorset’s youth services.

He said: “Dorset is about to go through some huge changes which could have significant consequences for the counties youth services.

“Rodwell has a fantastic facility in the form of the Steps Youth Club on Chickerell Road.

“It’s important that services like those can be safeguarded and it’s important that Rodwell has a councillor that can give the time required for the role.”

A notice of the council vacancy has been issued and an election to replace Mr Brember will follow in due course.

For more information visit dorsetforyou.com