Oakham Town Council has three vacancies following the resignation of Cllrs Joyce Lucas, Paul Buxton and Philip Wildbore, can you help fill the seats?
NOTICE OF VACANCY
IN THE OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR
BARLEYTHORPE ROAD WARD
OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
Pursuant to section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, that as a
result of the resignation of Philip Wildbore, a vacancy exists in the office
of Councillor for the Barleythorpe Road Ward of Oakham Town Council.
If by 22 August 2024 (14 days* after the date of this notice), a request
for an election to fill the said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning
Officer at Catmose, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6HP by TEN electors for
the said Ward, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise
the vacancy will be filled by co-option.
MARK ANDREWS
RETURNING OFFICER
Date: 2 August 2024
Unfortunately the covid rules no longer apply to parish council elections and rules have reverted back to the old rules. To call an election, 10 electors from the ward are required to write a letter calling for an election. Most of the time people can't be bothered to go out and find those 10 people so the council can then co-opt its favoured people. This is not at all democratic.
Oakham Town Council have posted notices of all these vacancies.
They have not given them any further publicity.
There is no indication that elections have been called for the two vacancies detailed below, If this is the case Oakham Town Council will be seeking to co-opt new members.
If you are interested in co-option please contact the Town Clerk for further information.
townclerk@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
ROL House
Long Row
Oakham, Rutland
LE15 6LN
t: 01572 723627
Co-option onto a parish council can be seen as less democratic for the following reasons:
Lack of direct election: Co-opted members are chosen by existing councillors, not by the wider public who elect the council in the first place.
Potential for bias: The co-option process can favour individuals who align with the views of the existing councillors, potentially excluding diverse perspectives.
Reduced public accountability: Co-opted members haven't been directly voted in by the community they represent, potentially weakening their mandate to represent the public's interests.
Limited transparency: The co-option process can sometimes lack transparency, with the public unaware of the candidates or the criteria for selection.
Dilution of electoral mandate: Co-option can undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process, as the balance of power on the council can shift without direct public input.
NOTICE OF VACANCY
IN THE OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR
OAKHAM SOUTH WARD
OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
Pursuant to section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, that as a
result of the resignation of Paul Buxton, a vacancy exists in the office of
Councillor for the South Ward of Oakham Town Council.
If by 16 August 2024 (14 days* after the date of this notice), a request
for an election to fill the said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning
Officer at Catmose, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6HP by TEN electors for
the said Ward, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise
the vacancy will be filled by co-option.
MARK ANDREWS
RETURNING OFFICER
Date: 29 July 2024
NOTICE OF VACANCY
IN THE OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR
OAKHAM NORTH WEST WARD
OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
Pursuant to section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, that as a
result of the resignation of Joyce Lucas, a vacancy exists in the office of
Councillor for the North West Ward of Oakham Town Council.
If by 16 August 2024 (14 days* after the date of this notice), a request
for an election to fill the said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning
Officer at Catmose, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6HP by TEN electors for
the said Ward, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise
the vacancy will be filled by co-option.
MARK ANDREWS
RETURNING OFFICER
Date: 29 July 2024
https://oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk/
