Calne Town Council has announced yet another vacancy on the council, for the Chilvester and Abberd Ward again, following the resignation yesterday of Conservative Councillor Orrey Pike.
Cllr Pike's departure creates a new vacancy only days after another seat on the council was filled through a by-election.
The most recent by-election took place last Thursday to fill the vacancy created when Independent Cllr Jackie Beckett resigned earlier in the autumn. That contest was won by Liberal Democrat candidate Thomas Taylor, who defeated Paul Logan of Reform UK.
In addition to Cllr Pike’s resignation and the vacancy recently filled by Thomas Taylor, the council is also dealing with a separate vacancy created earlier this month when Lib Dem Cllr Robert MacNaughton stepped down. Wiltshire Council's website states that ten or more electors have requested an election. A notice will be published on 12th December and an election if contested on 22nd January 2026.
A vacancy notice for the seat left by Cllr Pike was published today, residents in the ward will now have an opportunity to request an election - if ten valid requests are received, a poll will be held, otherwise the seat will be filled by co-option. Co-option is the process the town council can use to fill a vacant seat without holding an election. It usually happens when a councillor steps down mid-term and not enough residents ask for a by-election, or when there weren’t enough candidates to fill all the seats at the last election. In those cases, the council invites people to apply, checks they’re eligible to serve, and then chooses someone to take on the role at a council meeting. It’s a quicker and cheaper alternative to a full election, but the final decision rests with the councillors rather than the voters.
News of the latest resignation has prompted local discussion on social media. Former councillor Michael Hudston wrote: "What on earth is going on? We have just had an election for Chilvester and Abberd Ward. I do think Mr Pike and or his party should contribute to the election costs, especially as he was only elected in May."
Resident Jon Baker responded, describing the situation as frustrating and saying the town deserved greater stability. He also questioned the role of party politics in town council elections and argued that co-option should be used when vacancies occur so soon after an election.
Their remarks follow comments made last month by former councillor John Boaler, who raised concerns about the financial impact of repeated early resignations. He noted that the recent by-election cost more than thirteen thousand pounds and said candidates should stand only if prepared to serve the full term unless significant personal circumstances force otherwise.
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