No by-election for Caol and Mallaig ward

Issued on behalf of the Returning Officer 

Following the resignation of former Cllr Ben Thompson for Ward 11, Caol and Mallaig on 12 November 2021, The Highland Council can confirm that no by-election to fill the vacancy will take place.

As the vacancy for this ward occurs within 6 months before the Local Government Election on Thursday 5 May 2022, an election shall not be held unless, on the occurrence of the vacancy (or in the case of a number of simultaneous vacancies, the occurrence of the vacancies), the total number of unfilled vacancies in the membership of the council exceeds one third of the whole number of members (Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, 37 (2)).

As this is currently the only vacancy that falls within the cut-off period for by-elections ahead of the Local Government Election on Thursday 5 May 2022, a by-election will not be held.

The process to elect a Councillor for Ward 21 Fort William and Ardnamurchan is currently underway as this vacancy falls outwith the 6 month legislative time. Polling will take place on Thursday 2 December 2021 and the votes will be counted within the ward on Friday 3 December 2021.

People will be able to follow the count via The Highland Council’s Social Media channels and details of the seven candidates who are standing are available on the Council’s website - https://www.highland.gov.uk/byelection