The city councillor whose inquiry into Birmingham鈥檚 music heritage proposed a special Black Sabbath day has retired from front line politics.
Conservative councillor Philip Parkin has resigned his Sutton Trinity seat to concentrate on his automotive component business and other commitments.
As leisure, sport and culture scrutiny committee chairman in 2011-12 his Birmingham music heritage and tourism inquiry proposed, among other things, Freedom of the City to Sabbath legend Ozzy Osborne..
He was first elected to Sutton Trinity ward in 2004 and was also deputy leader of the Birmingham Conservative group between 2010 and 2012.
And became one of the first councillors to use twitter during meetings.
Coun Parkin was also a vocal campaigner for an elected mayor and said the loss of the referendum in 2012 in was very disappointing.
He said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 time for a change. My business as well as a number of other commitments mean I鈥檓 no longer in a position to be able to devote the time that is needed to being a councillor.
鈥淭here are lots of keen people out there who will do a very good job.鈥
He was not due for re-election until 2016, so voters in Sutton Trinity will elect two councillors on May 22.
Coun Parkin has been a popular figure on all sides of the Council Chamber and colleagues were quick to pay tribute.
Labour councillor John O鈥橲hea tweeted: 鈥淪orry to see that Philip Parkin has resigned. He鈥檚 one of the sensible ones.鈥
