A by-election will not be held in Highbridge following a town councillor’s recent resignation, it has emerged this week.
Too few residents have come forward to express an interest in standing, so the Town Council will co-opt a resident instead.
We reported last month that Alan Miller, a Liberal Democrat, had stepped down from his council seat in Highbridge due to ill health.
A Sedgemoor District Council spokeswoman told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Fewer than the minimum of ten electors from the ward came forward to request a by-election by this week’s deadline so an election will not be called and the Town Council is free to co-opt a person as a councillor.”
Town Council Clerk Denise Emery added: “We now have a period of 35 days to co-opt a resident onto the council. We’ll be considering the options at our next full meeting.”
She added: “From a financial perspective we’re relieved that no by-election is required – holding one would have cost council tax payers £7,500.”
Meanwhile, voters in the Burnham area will still be going to the polls on Thursday 22nd May for the European Elections.
