Tiverton Town Council’s Westexe Ward is currently facing a vacancy, prompting an election, following the non-attendance of the former councillor.
Ten signatures were submitted to the Mid Devon District Council, meaning an election will take place to fill the hole left by Councillor Jamie Frost. Cllr Frost still sits as an Independent member for Westexe after being thrown out of the Lib Dem party.
The community awaits the announcement of a date and candidates for the upcoming by-election.
Amidst this development, questions have been raised regarding the eligibility of former Liberal Democrat Councillor Jamie Frost after he did not attend the last full council meeting or previous meetings.
Councillor Tim Bridger, with no apology forthcoming from Councillor Frost for his absence at the meeting on March 25, inquired about his continued membership on the council, asking if his non-attendance disqualified him from his continued membership.
John Vanderwolf, the town clerk, acknowledged the issue, stating, “There is a problem. The six-month rule may apply, but I won’t announce anything. If that is the case, it’s only fair that I contact him before.”
Councillor Rebecca Clarke remarked: “It’s a great surprise not to see the Westexe member Jamie Frost here.”
She questioned Councillor Jamie Frost’s membership of the Liberal Democrats after now standing as an Independent councillor, and is still eligible to earn a basic allowance of £6,000. He has attended two meetings in the seven he was expected to attend.
In 2023 Cllr Frost received 444 votes and came second in the poll. Three candidates in Westexe were selected for Mid Devon District Council including Councillor David Broom also of the Lib Dems and a town councillor, and Claudette Harrower who failed to be elected onto the town council, but won a seat on Mid Devon. She announced she was quitting the Conservatives to join the Lib Dems ahead of the by-election to the town council. Eleven people stood in the Westexe Mid Devon election.
On the town council he received 517 votes and was one of six candidates of nine who gained enough votes to be elected.
She said: “I noticed on the Mid Devon Council website that he is no longer a Liberal Democrat member. Can you confirm on behalf of Westexe and Mid Devon residents if rumours are true that he was pushed or did he himself jump?”
Responding to the speculation, David Wulff clarified: "Under the rules of Liberal Democrats, for non-attendance he was removed from the group and all allowances paid to Cllr Frost were repaid to the District Council at that point.”
Cllr Frost declined to make further comment when approached.
