THERE is a strong possibility that a by-election could be held locally in September to become a councillor on Ross-on-Wye Town Council.

The council’s town clerk announced last week that a vacancy had arisen following the resignation of Saskia Harrison in the Ross West ward.

And now nominations are being requested to fill this vacancy with expressions of interest being invited from the Ross West wards.

The town council stated that according to the rules surrounding local elections nominations to request a by-election must be received by the returning officer no later than Friday July 31.

The Local Government Act of 1972 stipulates that at least ten electors from the parish should request that a by-election should be held in the ward

And only if the post is contested will elections for them be held in due course, which by tradition, will be a Thursday.

The town council states in its communications that if a request for an election is not received by the returning officer by July 31, the council has the option to c0-opt a person to fill the vacancy as soon as practicable, in accordance with the local election rules for parishes and communities.

Ms Harrison was an independent member on the town council and resigned from her position citing that it had been an incredibly difficult environment to work in as a volunteer and added that in reality the role had not been what she had expected.

The last councillor to be co-opted onto the council was Leon Davies in October 2024 year when he was the only nominee and therefor an election wasn’t required.

Ross Town Council have vowed that if a by-election is to be held in the Ross West ward, then it would issue polling cards.

The next scheduled elections for Herefordshire Council and the town and parish councils will be held on May 6, 2027.