Recently, one of the three Frome Town Councillors for College ward, James Godman (Conservative),  resigned from the council.  I do wish James all the best for the future.

See http://www.frome-tc.gov.uk/news/view/cllr-godman-resigns

The Town Council’s recently advertised the vacancy and stated “If a written request for an election to fill this vacancy is made to the Returning Officer at Mendip District Council by 10 electors for the ward by 4 November, an election will be held. If not, the vacancy will be filled by co-option by Frome Town Council.”

Co-option (appointment) has been used before in Frome when not enough candidates came forward to fill some of the 17 seats, and other local councils have used it when they have had a large number of resignations in the same year. But this is the first potential by-election on Frome Town Council since the election in 2011, and there is over 18 months to go until the next election in 2015. Although one new councillor will not change the direction of the council (which has 17 members), there is still a long of time for someone new to make a difference to Frome by bringing their ideas, enthusiasm, talents and energy to our most local of councils.

Having a by-election in College ward will ensure that residents of the area (rather than existing councillors and party officials) decide who represents them on the Town Council.  I and others in the Frome Liberal Democrats believe that local democracy is too important to allow concerns about the small cost and slight inconvenience to override the need to allow residents to elect who represents them.

I am asking residents of the ward, which covers the areas of Fromefield, Stonebridge, the Leys and Packsaddle estates at the north end of town, to fill in a petition. We only need 10 signatures and I have a number already.   So, please contact me on aomboyden@yahoo.co.uk if you want to sign our petition.

Update Monday 28th October:  our petition of 10 residents requesting a by-election has been handed to Mendip District Council, and we await a response.  Thanks to all who signed!

Update Monday 4th November: I have heard that Mendip District Council has received and accepted the petition, and is now organising a date and venue for the byelection and polling station.