No by-elections to be held to replace resigning county and district councillor

Adil Sadygov has resigned from both Northamptonshire County Council and South Northamptonshire Council. | other

A councillor has resigned from his seats on both the county and a district council – but new laws mean that no by-election will take place to elect a replacement.

Adil Sadygov has resigned his seat as a ward councillor for Towcester and Roade on Northamptonshire County Council, and also as one of the ward councillors for Grange Park on South Northamptonshire Council.

Normally a by-election would be held to replace a councillor, however the Coronavirus regulations, which have delayed all local elections, will not allow any election to take place before May 2021.

Both the county council and South Northamptonshire Council are set to be abolished on April 1, 2021 as part of the reorganisation of local government in Northamptonshire.

It means that until then Councillor Andrew Grant will remain the sole ward member for Grange Park during SNC meetings at The Forum in Towcester, while Towcester and Roade will now have no representative at County Hall.

Richard Ellis, returning officer for South Northamptonshire Council, said: “Grange Park is represented by a second SNC member, in this case Councillor Andrew Grant.

“Councillor Grant is highly experienced and is at the centre of decision making locally as a member of the SNC cabinet.

“This is an unusual situation, but I would assure Grange Park residents that their voice will continue to be heard.”