Gwynedd Councillor’s resignation could prompt by-election

A by-election could be held in Gwynedd to fill a newly vacated county council seat, the authority has confirmed.

Thursday’s full council meeting saw officers announce that Harlech/Talsarnau councillor Freya Bentham had tendered her resignation as a member of the authority.

The head of democratic services, Geraint Owen, said: “Since publication of this report last week, Cllr Freya Bentham for Harlech/Talsarnau has tendered her resignation and we will be reporting further on any changes to the political balance as a result of that in July after a by-election in that ward.”

As a result, voters will be asked to go to the polls if more than one candidate comes forward.

Despite this, with the local elections pencilled in for May 2022, the winning candidate would be in post for less than a year until the prospect of having to defend their seat.

The leader of the independent group – which has been reduced to 20 members following the resignation – paid tribute to her work in the community.

Cllr Angela Russell said that Ms Bentham had resigned for personal reasons, adding: “Freya will be a loss to not only the independent group but also Gwynedd Council as a whole, but I wish her nothing but the best.”