Market Rasen Town council fills vacancy after rethink
MARKET Rasen Town Council (MRTC) is now at full strength – but has been heavily criticised for the way in which its new member was selected.
Councillor Nigel Cook was co-opted on to the council by members at the second attempt to fill the seat, just a month after councillors had voted not to fill the post.
Prior to the initial vote at January's town council meeting, it was revealed that Councillor Cook and rival candidate Carol Skye had come forward in the hope of filling the vacancy.
However, after going into closed session, members decided that neither would be taken on and the position would not be filled.
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The move was questioned by the town's MP, Edward Leigh, and West Lindsey District Council leader and Market Rasen representative Bert Keimach, who asked if the council had followed correct procedure.
As a result, MRTC said it would reconsider the applications of both candidates at its February meeting, when both Councillor Cook and Ms Skye were given time to make presentations and answer questions from the floor.
Before the final vote, Councillor Linda Bowen said: "I would like to praise the two candidates for sticking with the process. That has shown their commitment to the town."
Town Mayor Steve Bunney also told the assembled public that the clerk had taken advice from the Local Association Of Town And Parish Councils as to the voting procedure.
He confirmed that the vote would be a simple one by a show of hands for one candidate or the other.
Mr Cook received six votes and Ms Skye two votes from the ten councillors present. There were two abstentions.
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