Wellington town council seat will remain vacant
Wellington Town Council will have a vacant seat for the rest of the term, after members narrowly voted against co-opting a new member.
Opponents said it was “pointless” and “nonsense” to hold a multi-round members’ vote to fill the empty Dothill seat when the winner would only get to attend two meetings before the next election.
But supporters said it would cost nothing to give an aspiring local politician their start and “encourage people to get involved in their council”.
The vacancy came about after Conservative councillor Jamie Harris resigned his seat in order to travel to China to teach English.
Wellington Town mayor Cindy Mason-Morris informed councillors of his departure, and said: “I would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him the best in the future”.
She explained that, because the next election, due on May 2, is less than six months away, they legally can not hold a by-election to replace Mr Harris.
“However, we do have the option of voting to co-opt someone to the seat,” she said.
“We have been approached by a member of the public who has expressed interest.”
Wellington Town Council clerk Karen Roper explained that, if they decided to co-opt a member, that fact would be advertised to the public for nominations.
A list of candidates would be brought to the next meeting, on February 12, and they would vote in a multi-round ‘knockout’ system.
By Alex Moore, local democracy reporter
