Is it right only elected councillors can co-opt new co-opted members onto the parish council.

Question

Our parish council currently has three elected members. A councillor position came up as a member resigned. Another has not attended for six months and unlikely to return due to illness. Will only two elected members and a co-opted member voted another person on. I’m sure only elected members can vote and with only two we have a problem.

Answer 1

No. Once someone is co-opted, they are exactly like an elected member except for one respect. A co-opted member cannot receive an allowance from the council (including an allowance granted to the chair). Otherwise they are full members in every respect.

Comments

Sorry I'm confused can you help me with this.

3.3 Co-option: ordinary elections
Where a parish council has not filled all its seats at an ordinary election, the
councillors who have been elected (unopposed) may co-opt additional
members until all of the council’s seats are filled.29 A parish council must have
filled at least one-third of its seats through election (which may be
uncontested) in order to co-opt additional councillors. Temporary
appointment of members of parish and community councils where the council
is not quorate is provided for by section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN04827/SN04827.pdf#page15

---

That rule only applies immediately after an election. Where it is applicable, the council will be very constrained. But if the council has passed this point, and co-opted members following the election to fill vacancies, thereafter there is no restriction on co-option. Parish councils do exist consisting entirely of co-opted members, although this is hardly ideal.