Chudleigh Town Council News - filling councillor vacancies
In January, Richard Keeling and Lorraine Evans resigned as Town Councillors. This was due to a mixture of external work pressures and the demands of their role as District Councillors. They remain in post as Chudleigh’s District Councillors and will continue to have a close relationship with the Town Council.
When the vacancies were advertised some 34 electors contacted the Returning Officer asking for a formal poll. This was due to take place on 7 May until Covid intervened. The government has postponed all elections for one year so the vacancies created by the resignations of Richard and Lorraine cannot be filled until May 2021.
We now have another vacancy. Melanie Bellchambers has stepped down due to the demands of her work. This vacancy has to be treated wholly separately to the other two. I will be advertising this post, inviting residents to take the opportunity to ask for a formal election. Ten requests trigger an election. If less than ten requests are received then the Council will be free to fill the post by co-option. I will start the advertising process at the beginning of September.