Why would our PC sit on 3 vacant seats for 3 years then co opt ?

Question

Villagers have previously asked about co option and been told to try may 2019 election !?

Little notice was given for co option 3days when the agenda came out . I applied with 2 others they got in I didn't..still a vacancy. I didn't know till that meeting when i spoke in the public section that I was being interviewed that evening.??

Rach

Answer 1

The council is governed by law regarding the advertising of vacancies.  At the point of resignation, the local electoral officer at the Borough level should be informed and they will instruct the council to place an advertisement stating that electors have 14 days from the date of the notice to request a by-election.  There have to be 10 electors writing to the election officer to trigger a by-election.  If this is not achieved, then there is an obligation on the council to fill the position informally (a casual vacancy).  There is no legislation as to how this should be achieved.

It certainly seems that your PC does not have a decent policy.  In May 2019, the whole parish council lose their seats and they are all up for election.  If you decide to stand then, and there are not enough candidates to call an election, you will automatically be elected.  BTW, there is no requirement to co-opt in the 6 months leading up to the election in May.

Answer 2

Hi thank you, i'm just not sure what their motive would be for co opting now, when the haven't bothered in the last 3 plus years?

Comments

Perhaps they have been told to by the monitoring officer or face having councillors placed in the parish council without any say - it can happen.