Pateley Bridge Town Council is looking for two new councillors without going through an election process to replace Chris Hawkesworth and Christine Skaife, who between them have served for more than 50 years. Both have collectively been town mayor on eight occasions.
Councillor Mike Holt said that the council, which also serves High and Low Bishopside, Fellbeck, Wilsill, Glasshouses and part of Wath, needs to “co-opt” to bring the council to its full strength of 11 members.
The council, like all local government, is in lockdown because of the coronavirus crisis and the next elections are not due until May 2022.
The need to operate in isolation, has also meant that there was no council meeting at which councillors could thank their retiring colleagues for the many ways in which they have been involved in the local community.
Cllr Holt (pictured with Mayoress Dr Janet Holt) said:
“Chris and Christine will both be greatly missed, they brought a lot to the council and as such the town over many years of civic service and we wish them all the best for the future.”
Cllr Hawkesworth served on the town council for 41 years – five of which he served as mayor, while Cllr Skaife was mayor on three occasions during more than ten years on the council.
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With their retirement, Cllr Holt pointed out to anybody thinking about putting their name forward for one of the vacancies:
“Becoming a councillor presents a fantastic opportunity to have a voice and influence the direction of the parish, the town and all our parishioners.”
The minimum age to be a councillor is 18 and applicants must be a British citizen; an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any member state of the European Union. Potential applicants must also be a registered elector within the parish or meet any of the following criteria:
- Occupied as owner or tenant land or premises in the parish for the previous 12 months
- Had their main employement in the parish for the previous 12 month
- Lived in the parish or within three miles of it for the previous 12 months
Those wanting to apply for co-option to the council are asked, in the first instance, to send their CV and a covering letter to Sarah Adamson clerk@pateleybridgetowncouncil.gov.uk