Should a vacancy now be notified?

Question

Following the post election period when co-options were allowed without a further election, must any other remaining vacancies not filled now be notified in the usual way eg:

‘NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

that a casual vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for XXXX Town Council.

If by 89th August 2023 a request for an election to fill said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer at the address below by TEN electors for the said Parish, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.

If an election is called, it will take place not later than 40th October 2023’

or can co-options continue until all vacancies are filled by friends of the Mayor?

Answer 1

I believe that you have 35 working days to fill vacancies by co-option before you revert to the normal process of advertising a vacancy and inviting electors to petition for an election. That would have expired sometime around 26 June this year, allowing for a sprinkling of bank holidays.