Andy Davies, the Green Party councillor who won the Walkley seat from Sheffield Council leader Tom Hunt in May's local elections, has resigned after just three months in the role, citing mental health and personal reasons. His departure ends Hunt's three-year Labour leadership of the council and triggers a by-election, the second in Sheffield within a few months after Independent councillor Gareth Slater's resignation from Southey.

Davies defeated Hunt by just 73 votes on 7 May, but said in a social media statement that while he had been prepared for the workload, he had not anticipated the weight of expectation from the community and campaigners, which had "manifested itself in unhealthy ways". He said he would step back from political activity and asked for privacy, while the Sheffield Green Party thanked him for his service and wished him well. A date has not yet been set for the Walkley by-election, though the Southey vote is scheduled for 27 August, and a separate by-election is also due at Barnsley Council's Penistone East ward after another recently elected councillor resigned for personal reasons.