When the election was held for Rye’s Town Council, Justin Erswell did not stand as he was going to Australia. But now he has just been co-opted on to the council following the resignation of former Mayor Sam Souster shortly after the May elections. There was some expectation that a costly bye-election would be called, but this did not happen. Instead the council sought to fill the vacancy by co-option.
Three people – Ella Bishop, Jonathan Dellar and Justin Erswell – applied to be considered, and the council made its decision on Monday. Bishop, who had been a candidate in the May election, could not be present, but the other two spoke about why they wanted to be on the council and answered questions. A secret ballot was then taken, and Erswell was elected on the first vote – as he had more votes than the other two put together.
In his application he said: “Having lived in and around Rye for most of my life – nearly 36 years – I am incredibly proud of our town, its history, its people and its culture. This is a special place and by applying to be on the Town Council my aim is to protect and enhance the things that make this unique and historic hideaway a great place to live in and visit”.
A Rye Town Councillor. Photo supplied by Justin Erswell.