The deputy leader of Oxford City Council has announced his intention to quit - 24 hours before the first meeting of a new cabinet.

The executive board system of local government was due to be introduced at the town hall today and Green councillor Paul Ingram will be one of ten councillors discussing vital issues, including the authority's financial crisis.

After accepting an annual allowance of £7,818 for the post of deputy leader, Cllr Ingram surprised colleagues this week by revealing he will stand down in May, when local elections will be held.

Cllr Ingram, 33, told the Oxford Mail the main reason he intended to go was because he wanted to spend more time with his wife Emily Miles, 26.

They married in July, and are leading virtually separate lives during the week because she works in London as a private secretary to Home Secretary David Blunkett.

Cllr Ingram added: "It's a well-known convention for married couples to live together and that's not happening at the moment.

"Something has got to give, and it is more likely to be my job than hers."

Cllr Ingram said he was also frustrated that so much time was spent discussing issues that could "feel quite trivial", including whether or not to increase park-and-ride charges by 10p.

"The world is in flames and it feels quite surreal to be discussing these details for so long," he said.

"Local issues are very important, but we live in the world and we should also keep a wider perspective."

Cllr Ingram said it was likely that Dr Mike Woodin would replace him as the council's deputy leader, if the Lib Dem-Green alliance remained in place after May.

The council's financial difficulties - it is facing a deficit of between £2.5m and £4m - has not influenced Cllr Ingram's decision to go. He added: "I have found that a challenge and will continue to be dedicated to my work and to the people of Oxford until next May."

The old-style committee system is being replaced by an executive board, scrutiny panels and area committees designed to speed up decision-making and make the council more accountable to the public.

If the new system worked well, Cllr Ingram said, then he might reconsider his decision.

Corinna Redman, the Liberal Democrat leader of the council, said: "I am very sorry that Paul has decided to remove himself from the political field.

"His personal situation must be difficult and all of us need to balance our private lives and our council lives."

Alex Hollingsworth, leader of the council's Labour group, said the timing of Cllr Ingram's announcement was "not ideal", and added: "It's a shame because he is one of the most competent members of the administration."

Cllr Ingram, a graduate of University College, has worked as a researcher for the Oxford Research Group into defence issues since 1990.

He has also been warden of the Quaker meeting house in St Giles, and it was through the Quaker movement that he met his wife.