The process has begun to fill the vacancy on Rye Town Council caused by the death of Cllr Jo Kirkham. The former mayor and long standing councillor died on Monday October 20 at the age of 86. She served on Rye Borough Council and Rye Town Council for 54 years.
Unless 10 or more eligible electors write to the returning officer by November 10 calling for an election, Rye Town Council will use its co-opting procedure to select the new councillor.
This was the case for the last vacancy caused by the resignation of Cllr Rebekah Gilbert earlier this summer. Five people put their names forward for the vacant post and presented their case at a meeting at Rye College on September 15. Dena Smith Ellis was elected after a vote between councillors.
The new councillor will serve until elections in May 2027, however a ballot may not be held if there are not enough candidates to fill the sixteen seats on Rye Town Council.
The council next meets at the town hall on Monday October 27. The meeting starts at 6.30pm and is open to the public. You can read the full agenda here.
