Criticism for lack of publicity for town council vacancy

MELKSHAM Town Council has been criticised for not widely publicising a councillor vacancy.

The vacancy, caused by the resignation of Caroline Andrewes, was advertised on the Town Hall noticeboard – but residents say that it should have been promoted on social media, the town council website, and in the Melksham News.

However, according to Wiltshire Council’s returning officer, Terence Herbert,  parish councils can choose to publicise vacancy notices on their website and social media pages, but this is “not a requirement”.

A local resident told Melksham News, “We’ve seen on a council notice board that the council is inviting people to stand as a councillor in North Ward but haven’t seen anything either in Melksham News or on the [town] council website. 

“Unless 10 electors from the north ward come forward to ask for an election to be called, the council can co-opt someone to take the post – not democratic in the least.  The notice was put up on 21st August! This needs to be advertised far and wide so that we get a fair election, otherwise they will just appoint someone – it has to be asked why the proper procedures have not been followed once again.”

In response, a spokesperson for Melksham Town Council said, “In advertising this vacancy, Melksham Town Council complied with its statutory obligations and this is acknowledged by Wiltshire Council.”

The notice regarding the vacancy caused by the resignation of Caroline Andrewes was posted on the Town Hall’s noticeboard last month. It informed the community that at least 10 residents would need to contact Wiltshire Council to request an election – the deadline was Friday 11th September.

If less than 10 electors contacted Wiltshire Council, no election would take place, and the town council would be able to fill the vacancy by co-option.

Despite the lack of publicity, 10 or more electors did contact Wiltshire Council requesting an election. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, an election will not take place this year and the vacancy will be left unfilled until next year’s ‘ordinary election of councillors’ in May.

The spokesperson for Melksham Town Council said, “We are delighted that the sense of democracy is definitely alive and well in Melksham and confirm that sufficient members of the public have come forward to ensure an election is called for spring 2021.  We are thrilled with this outcome and look forward to encouraging as many people as possible to vote.”

Explaining the correct process for advertising a councillor vacancy, the returning officer at Wiltshire Council, Terence Herbert, said, “Vacancy notices are prepared by Wiltshire Council on behalf of the parish and town council and forwarded to them to publicise.

“The notice must be displayed in a conspicuous place or places within the parish, which usually tends to be the parish notice boards, and can be copied and displayed in as many places as the parish council deem appropriate.  

“They can also choose to publicise the notice on their parish website, local newsletters or any other way available to them if they wish, although this is not a requirement. As a  matter of good practice, we also publish all notices for all parishes on our website at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ elections. Notices must be displayed from the date of the notice and advertised for 14 working days, excluding weekends and bank holidays.  The notice states the 14 date deadline.”