THERE is a strong possibility that a by-election could be held locally in August for people to become councillors on Ross-on-Wye Town Council.

The council’s town clerk announced on May 23 that the vacancies had arisen following the resignations of Cllr Rob Taylor (Ross West) and Cllr Corina Lodea (Ross East).

And now nominations are being requested to fill these two vacancies following recent expressions of interest from members of the public in both Ross East and Ross West wards.

Cllr Taylor previously stood for the Independents for Herefordshire group at county elections the Ross West ward in 2023, losing out to Louis Stark of the Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Lodea was part of the majority LibDem group on the town council, a majority not at risk from this election.

Candidates for all posts have until July 18 to lodge their nominations, and only if the posts are contested will elections for them be held on August 14, by tradition, this is a Thursday.

Nomination papers must be hand delivered to Herefordshire Council’s returning officer no later than 4pm on July 18 at the electoral services office in Blueschool House in Hereford.

Those not registered to vote can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote and this will need to have been completed by midnight, July 29.

The last councillor to join the council was Leon Davies in October last year when he was the only nominee for the vacant post and therefor an election wasn’t required. Cllr Davies officially joined the council as a Conservative member at its November meeting.

All councillors sitting on Ross Town Council will serve until the members are iup for re-election.

The next scheduled elections for Herefordshire Council are the Local Government and Parish Council Elections that will be held on May 6, 2027.