A vacancy has arisen on Keswick Town Council following the resignation of Councillor Lewis Forsyth.
The main elections are now only six months away in May 2023, which means the council can co-opt a new member.
Speaking at a recent meeting, Cllr Louise Dunn said that when she was co-opted, she spoke about the council having more engagement with the community and recruiting a more diverse range of people onto the council.
A number of councillors are set to retire in May and Cllr Dunn said it would be great if there were 20 people coming forward to stand for election to fill the vacancies. She suggested that an open session be held for potential candidates before town council meetings in December and January. People could talk to the clerk or a councillor and then stay on for the council meeting.
“If we get two people to apply that gives us some momentum,” said Cllr Dunn. “But we might need to do something else as well to make the demographic of the town council more reflective of the community it serves.”
Anyone interested in applying for co-option, should visit www.keswicktowncouncil.gov.uk/news for more information and to apply.
Application forms should be returned to the office by Thursday December 8 and the current councillors will look at them ahead of the December meeting.
Applicants are asked to come along to the December town council meeting on Thursday December 15, at 7pm in the council chamber at Keswick Town Hall and give a short presentation on what they feel they can bring to Keswick Town Council.
The current councillors will then vote on who they would like to join as councillor, and once that decision is made, the successful candidate will sign a declaration of office, and immediately become a new councillor.
To be a town councillor you must be:
- On the electoral register anywhere within the parish; or
- Have lived in or within three miles of the parish boundary for the previous 12 months; or
- Own, rent, occupy or otherwise has right of occupation of land in the parish; or
- Work in the parish.
To find out more, contact Vivien Little, the town clerk on 017687 76307 or email townclerk@keswicktowncouncil.gov.uk
