Former mayor’s resignation opens two Telford parish council vacancies

A councillor’s resignation has created vacancies on two parish councils in Telford.

Former Labour councillor Usman Ahmed had held two seats; one on Hadley & Leegomery Parish Council, and the other on Wellington Town Council.

The resignations of Mr Ahmed, formerly the first Asian and Muslim Mayor of Wellington, brings the prospect of two by-elections to the seats less than one year before the all out elections in the borough.

Notices lodged on the Telford & Wrekin Council website say the resignations were made on Wednesday, May 13.

Neither notices give reasons behind the resignations.

When announcing his appointment as Wellington mayor in May 2024 a town council spokesman said Mr Ahmed “has been a passionate Wellington Town Councillor since 2019” and was “committed to continuing the positive momentum in our community.”

He was hailed as reflecting the diversity and inclusivity of Wellington.

Mr Ahmed, a resident of Hadley, had been a supporter of Maninplace which supports Telford’s rough sleepers and homeless.

But during his year as mayor he was granted leave of absence by both councils.

His leave of absence was not explained on the record at the time but Mr Ahmed did return to civic duty following his absence.

The rules mean that 10 electors – in both the town council’s college ward and the Hadley Manor ward – can call for an election to fill the vacancy.

This must be done by June 3, 2026 in both cases.

The returning officer at Telford & Wrekin Council can be phoned for further guidance on (01952) 381889.

The Returning Officer’s address is Electoral Services Office, Darby House, Telford & Wrekin Council, Lawn Central, Telford, TF3 4JA.

If requests to hold an election are not received in time the councils must co-opt a person to fill the vacancy.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that by elections are highly likely in both seats.

There is also a current vacancy at Madeley Town Council’s Madeley Village ward where the 14 day period for calling an election ends on May 22, 2026.

Three recent by elections saw five candidates battling to win parish council seats.

Those contests were won by candidates from Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats respectively with Reform UK candidates finishing in second place in the two seats they fought.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has attempted to contact Mr Ahmed for comment.