The move triggers a by-election for his former Sutton Central ward, taking place on April 10, 2025.
Councillor David Bartolucci stepped down following his absence from council business since September last year.
David Bartolucci
Under Sutton Council rules, elected councillors can be disqualified if they fail to attend council meetings for six months.
Cllr Bartolucci was one of three Lib Dem councillors representing the Sutton Central ward, which covers most of the town centre.
He was first elected to the council in 2014 and received the most votes of all candidates in his ward in the most recent 2022 local elections.
Bartolucci also served as the Deputy Council Leader under former long-serving Leader Ruth Dombey; this role entitled him to £41,000 a year in special allowances. However, Cllr Bartolucci was removed after Councillor Barry Lewis was chosen as Cllr Dombey’s successor following her resignation due to ill health in May last year.
Alongside his deputy role, Bartolucci was the former Housing, Economy, and Business Committee Chair, which afforded him £30,000 in allowances.
Cllr Bartolucci last attended a council meeting on September 4 last year; since then, his official attendance record has been zero per cent, despite continuing to collect allowances.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that his absence stemmed from personal reasons and a relationship breakdown with his former Lib Dem colleagues.
The LDRS has previously spoken with former Lib Dems, who believe the breakdown was linked with Cllr Bartolucci’s involvement in the ongoing Beech Tree Place project in Sutton town centre.
The £46 million redevelopment will bring 92 new homes, including 35 for shared ownership, designed for newcomers and returning residents.
However, the project faced delays after Sutton Council’s original partner, Real LSE, went into administration. This stalled work between September 2023 and June 2024 and cost the council £731,875.
Cllr Bartolucci did attend the most recent Full Council meeting last Monday (March 3) but opted to sit in the public gallery with family.
Fellow councillor Sam Martin has since replaced Cllr Bartolucci as Deputy Leader, while Jake Short has taken the role of Housing, Economy, and Business Committee Chair.
Sutton Lib Dems, who have long held the ward, have chosen Richard Choi as their candidate ahead of the by-election.
Candidates from all major parties and local independent Pamela Marsh are also contesting the seat.
Sutton Council comprises 28 Lib Dem councillors, 21 Conservatives, 2 Labour and 3 Sutton Independent Resident councillors. Interested parties are encouraged to submit nomination papers by March 14 at 4pm to stand as a candidate.
Photo ID is now mandatory to vote at polling stations. Those without a valid ID will not be allowed to vote.
More information about the April 10 by-election can be found on the council’s website.
