Berwick News
Town Council Vacancies at Upper Spittal (Co-option)
22 May 2017
Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council has opted to defer the co-option of two new councillors for Upper Spittal Ward until its next meeting.
Councillors had expressed their concerns that the co-option process was not widely understood, and that recent news stories like the General Election had drowned out any publicity for the vacancies.
In order to ensure the widest possible range of candidates, and to ensure fairness, councillors agreed to carry forward any existing expressions of interest in the co-option, but also to publicize the process further, and more widely.
Steve Cozens, who is acting as Proper Officer for the Town Council explained; ‘Legally, we have to take steps to co-opt members to fill vacancies, but we have to be sure we have advertised as widely as possible. Council has decided to extend the period for expressions of interest to make sure this is the case.'
Following the elections on 4 May 2017, there are two vacancies to be filled on Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council; both representing Upper Spittal Ward.
If you are interested please write to the Proper Officer by 4 pm on Thursday 15 June 2017 declaring your willingness to be co-opted.
Candidates are requested to attend the next meeting of Council on Tuesday, 20 June 2017 at 6 pm in the Town Hall. During the public part of the meeting they will be invited to address the Council for not more than 5 minutes on their vision for Berwick, and to answer any subsequent questions on their remarks.
The Council will then hold a ballot or ballots, as required, and will resolve to co-opt the successful candidates.
Steve Cozens
Proper Officer
Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council
Berwick WorkSpace
Boarding School Yard
90 Marygate
Berwick-upon-Tweed
TD15 1BN