Horncastle Town Council hope to co-opt new councillor at next meeting

The town council does not normally meet in August but due to Covid-19 restrictions since March, councillors agreed to a meeting.

Meetings have been held via the Zoom platform for the last few months, but councillors are hoping that the August meeting could be held in person at Stanhope Hall - with social distancing measures in place.

It is hoped that the large meeting space at Stanhope Hall will reopen on August 1.

Speaking at this month’s town council meeting, Councillor Richard Barker said: “Could the clerk confirm how many applications have been received for the vacancy for a town councillor?”

Town clerk Amanda Bushell replied: “We’ve had four or five applications - I’ve got them filed on my computer.”

In response, Coun Barker asked: “Are they actual applications or just expressions of interest?”

Amanda confirmed that the applications were completed and returned forms.

Town mayor Coun Fiona Martin added: “We did agree that once we meet in person again we would initiate the process to co-opt a new councillor.

“So, if we can meet in August and we can do that in Stanhope Hall then we will put that on the agenda.”