Oakham South Ward Council Vacancy: Call for Election, Oakham Town Council has announced a vacancy in the office of Councillor for the South Ward, following the departure of Sylvia Pryer due to failure to attend meetings.

Oakham South Ward Council Vacancy: Call for Election 

Oakham Town Council has announced a vacancy in the office of Councillor for the South Ward, following the departure of Sylvia Pryer due to failure to attend meetings. This notice, issued under Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, sets out the process for filling the vacant seat.

The Vacancy and the Process:

The vacancy arises from the statutory vacation of office, triggered by a councillor's consistent absence from council meetings. The Local Government Act 1972 mandates that a notice be issued, outlining the options for filling the position.

Two Paths to Filling the Vacancy:

There are two potential routes to filling the vacant council seat:

Election: If ten electors from the Oakham South Ward submit a written request for an election to the Returning Officer by 15 May 2025, an election will be held. This request must be sent to:

Mark Andrews

Returning Officer

Catmose

Oakham

Rutland

LE15 6HP

Co-option: If fewer than ten electors request an election by the deadline, the Town Council will fill the vacancy through a process of co-option. This involves the existing councillors selecting a suitable candidate to join their ranks.

Important Dates and Considerations:

Date of Notice: 24 April 2025

Deadline for Election Request: 15 May 2025

Time Calculation: It's crucial to note that when calculating the 14-day period for requesting an election, certain days are excluded. These include Saturdays, Sundays, days within the Christmas and Easter breaks, and bank holidays or days of public thanksgiving or mourning.

Defining the Breaks:

The notice provides clear definitions for the excluded periods:

Christmas Break: The period from the last weekday before Christmas Eve to the first weekday after Christmas Day (excluding bank holidays).

Easter Break: The period from the Thursday before Easter Sunday to the Tuesday after Easter Sunday.

Bank Holiday Break: Any bank holiday not within the Christmas or Easter breaks, including the period from the last weekday before the bank holiday to the next weekday (excluding bank holidays).

Call to Action:

This notice is a call to action for the residents of Oakham South Ward. If you are passionate about local governance and wish to have a say in who represents your interests, consider gathering the necessary signatures to trigger an election. Alternatively, if you are interested in potentially being considered for co-option, engaging with the town council is advisable.

This vacancy presents an opportunity for a new voice to join the Oakham Town Council and contribute to the community. Residents are encouraged to take note of the deadlines and procedures outlined in the notice.