A SECOND by-election in a matter of weeks could be held in Wellington following another resignation from the town council.

Former nurse Cllr Sue Fox resigned on Monday (December 1), the day on which Lib Dem Cllr Gareth Williams attended his first full council meeting after winning a by-election three weeks earlier.

Cllr Fox, an Independent who was co-opted to fill a vacancy 18 months ago, represented Rockwell Green ward with Cllr Andrew Govier

She had earlier been granted compassionate leave until December 31 following the sudden death of her husband.

Cllr Fox told the Wellington Weekly: “After the tragic death of my husband, I have made the decision to move back to Hampshire to be closer to my son.

“It has not been an easy decision, but one I hope people will understand after what continues to be a very difficult time for me.”

Cllr Fox becomes the sixth councillor to step down from the town council since the last elections for the 15-seat authority were held in 2022, leaving only nine of the original councillors still serving.

Other current councillors have either since been co-opted, elected unopposed, or won a by-election.

Cllr Fox’s resignation follows that of former Wellington mayor Marcus Barr, who had been sitting as the town’s only Reform UK councillor, and whose seat was taken by Cllr Williams in November’s by-election, which councillors heard had cost £6,000.

Cllr Barr continues to represent Wellington on Somerset Council.

Monday’s town council meeting agreed a budget where it is setting aside £17,500 in each of the next two financial years to cover the next full council elections in 2027.

A new by-election will be triggered if 10 Rockwell Green electors sign a petition by December 22, failing which, existing councillors will co-opt from candidates who put themselves forward to their meeting in February.