THE mayor of Bangor is to step down from the role following “a change of circumstances in my personal life”.

Owen Hurcum, who became the youngest mayor in Welsh history and the world’s first non-binary holder of the post last May, will not stand at the council elections in May of this year.

Owen, 25, said the decision came after receiving an “alternative offer I simply couldn’t refuse”, which involves building up a new home on a boat.

Owen wrote in a succession of tweets: “With the election period beginning next week for Welsh Local Elections 2022, many people will be announcing their intention to run for election or re-election.

“I wish to take this opportunity to state that I, however, will not be seeking re-election to Bangor City Council.

“This is not a reflection on Bangor City Council, nor my time as a councillor, and it certainly isn't to do with the harassment I have been subjected to (by a small but vocal minority) on occasion.

“It is simply because of a change of circumstances in my personal life.

“After (sadly unsuccessful) attempts to get onto the local property market, I have found myself with an alternative offer I simply couldn't refuse - that being to move onto, and do up, a 1940s wooden boat and make it my home.

“While it is my full intention to bring this boat up to Bangor and live on it up here, due to the work needed on it - and its current location around Norfolk - it might be upwards of a year before I can do that.

“It is my feeling that it would be wrong for me to campaign to be a local representative when I know I will be away from Bangor for such a length of time at the start of the next term.

“I look forward immensely to completing the rest of this term here in Bangor.

“I hope also one day I might be so humbled to once again serve my community here, but it won’t be during this next council term.”

Owen, originally from Harrow, has lived in Bangor for more than five years, and was originally elected to the city’s top civic post in 2020.

But despite serving as the city’s deputy mayor, the COVID-19 pandemic saw this promotion delayed by 12 months.

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