Park ward role up for grabs at Fleetwood Town Council

Coun Caroline McLoughlan resigned from the council to enable her to spend more time with her family.

The Town Council has announced that it will be looking to fill the seat by the process of co-option, rather than staging an election, as this process will save the council the £8,000 it would cost to hold a poll.

Although there have been some suggestions that the co-option method in undemocratic as it does not allow constituents to vote, many town councils adopt this method for by-elections and argue the money saved can be put to better use in the community.

The co-option will involve an application and an interview by all councillors at a public meeting, likely to be in September.

Coun Terry Rogers, chairman of Fleetwood Town Council, said: “Elections are much more expensive and it is hard to justify that cost for a by-election.

“This is a fair and democratic way to bring in new councillors and it is done openly before the public.”

To apply call clerk to the Town Council, Debra Thornton, on (01253) 872444. The final date for applications is August 22.