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10
Jun
Don’t hold by-election for vacant Harrogate town council seat, say Greens
The Harrogate Green Party has said there should not be a by-election following the resignation of Coppice Valley town councillor Austin Wildmore.
Cllr Wildmore, a Liberal Democrat, announced his resignation last week.
The Lib Dems hold 14 of the 19 seats on the town council, the Conservatives have three, Reform UK has one and there is one Independent.
With full elections due in May 2027, Harrogate Green Party said in a statement today (June 10) the vacancy should go unfilled until then.
The statement said a by-election, which will be triggered if 10 registered Coppice Valley electors call for it, could cost £15,000.
It added:
“The Green Party believe the costs incurred in the short-term would be a burden on the town and feels there would be a financial benefit in waiting to fill the Coppice Valley seat in the already planned elections in May 2027.”
The party added that if a by-election is triggered, its candidate will be Tamsin Worrall, who said:
As much as I am ready and more than willing to represent the good people of Coppice Valley, I do not believe spending £15,000 of public money on what will be a nine-month appointment is appropriate. The remit for all Green candidates is to use the public purse wisely. However, should a political opponent call for a by-election, I will contest it vigorously.
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