One new member and one resignation at Axminster Town Council

Axminster Town Council welcomed a new member last week, but also had to say goodbye to another.

Kara Burrough – one of the lead organisers of the Yarty Party – was co-opted to the town council to fill the vacancy for the town ward, left by the recent resignation of Carol Doherty.

She was one of two candidates to apply and was selected by councillors through a paper ballot vote.

However, Cllr Charles Hall then announced he would be standing down from the council, leaving another vacancy available in the Weycroft ward.

Mr Hall, who is standing down as he is moving to London, said he had enjoyed his time serving on the council, adding: "It's been great to see a new energy and drive recently which I think will produce something this council has never been able to achieve before."

A formal notice of a casual vacancy has now been issue. If any electors in the Weycroft ward wish to petition East Devon District Council for a by-election to fill the vacancy, they must do so by March 10.

If such a petition is not received, then the town council will be free to fill the vacancy via the process of co-option.

Current Axminster town councillors are as follows: Jill Farrow (mayor), Andrea Sedgewick (deputy mayor), Angela Huskisson, Elizabeth Paice, Sue Brooker, Alfie Brooker, Bernie Steadman, Sarah Birnie, Kara Burrough, Steve Holt, Sara Leat, Martin Mynard, Martin Surpway, and Jeremy Walden.