Councillor resignation from Telford parish council prompts by-election call
Councillor Keith Smith is recorded in an official notice as having resigned from Rodington Parish Council on March 31, 2026.
A councillor’s resignation from a Shropshire parish council has prompted an invitation to local electors to call for a by-election.
Councillor Keith Smith is recorded in an official notice as having resigned from Rodington Parish Council on March 31, 2026.
There are no further details about the circumstances but it has created a casual vacancy which the parish council is obliged to fill.
The first step is to give electors in Rodington the chance to call for an election to fill the seat which is one of seven on the council.
The rules allow 10 electors in the parish to request the returning officer at Telford & Wrekin Council to hold an election to fill the vacancy. They must do that before May 11, 2026.
If that does not happen the parish council must co-opt a person to fill the vacancy.
The last election of councillors in Rodington took place in May, 2023, but was unopposed after only four people stood as candidates. Former councillor Smith was not one of the four.
The council meets monthly, except in August, and is responsible for the maintenance of the Rodington Cemetery, ball court, noticeboards around the parish and financing projects in the area such as bulb planting, street signage and annual Christmas trees.
The parish council is also there to report any issues that are causing concern to the parish and is a statutory consultee on all planning matters locally.
Electors have been advised that the request for an election might simply be a letter including 10 signatures, with printed names and addresses.
It should include such words as “We the undersigned being electors for Rodington Parish, call for an election to fill the vacancy arising from the resignation of Councillor Smith.”
The Returning Officer’s address is Electoral Services Office, Darby House, Telford & Wrekin Council, Lawn Central, Telford TF3 4JA.
The phone number for further guidance is (01952) 381889.
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