A ‘casual vacancy’ for the Holsworthy Ward councillor on Torridge District Council will be filled during the upcoming May election.

Holsworthy has two Torridge District Councillor roles, one filled by Cllr David Jones, the other is currently vacant following the resignation early in December of Cllr Jon Hutchings.

Cllr Jon Hutchings, was elected onto Torridge District Council in 2018. In his resignation letter he said he feels his time would be “better spent locally”. He stated that he had become frustrated with several aspects and felt his area was being “continuously overlooked” by the council.

Announcing the vacancy, Steve Hearse Returning Officer wrote: “In accordance with Section 89 (3) of the Local Government Act 1972, where the vacancy occurs within six months before the day on which the councillor whose office is vacant would regularly have retired, an election shall not be held under Section 89 (1) of the above Act, and the vacancy will be filled at the next ordinary election of councillors on 4 May 2023.”