He announced his resignation from one of the city’s top jobs on local radio.

Cr North confirmed he would stay on as a councillor.

In speaking with the Western Advocate on Thursday night, councillor Bobby Bourke said he was “surprised” to hear of the resignation and that it was likely due to “personal reasons”.

“I’ve had a close working relationship with Ian North for over three terms on council and I’ve always found him to be a hard working councillor and I was surprised to hear him resign,” Cr Bourke said.

He went on to say that he wasn’t made aware of Cr North’s intention to resign before the shock announcement.

“To hear him announce it without talking to me as another councillor, I was a bit disappointed,” he said.

Cr North was elected into his ninth term as deputy mayor on September 21.