By-election called after death of Torbay councillor

A by-election has been called after the death of a Torbay councillor.

Wellswood ward member Patrick Joyce died last weekend.

Now Torbay Council has confirmed: "Following the sad news of Councillor Patrick Joyce’s passing, a by-election will be held for the Wellswood ward on Thursday June 6.

"The Notice of Election will be published on Wednesday April 24, with nomination packs available from Tuesday April 23. The deadline for nominations is 4pm on Thursday May 9."

Torbay Council’s delicate balance of power is likely to be tested again with the by-election.

Cllr Joyce was elected as a Conservative last May, but later left the party to form the Prosper Torbay group along with fellow Conservative Katya Maddison, who was elected last year to represent Shiphay.

They felt they would better represent residents outside the Conservative group.

As a mark of respect, the flag at Torquay Town Hall is flying at half-mast until sunset on the day of Cllr Joyce's funeral.

Immediately after last May’s elections, the Conservatives held overall control of Torbay Council, having taken it from the previous Liberal Democrat/ Independent coalition.

They had 19 of the 36 council seats last summer, with the coalition holding the Lib Dems and Independents 17 between them.

But the creation of the Prosper Torbay group left the Tories with just 17 seats. Cllrs Joyce and Maddison held the balance of power, and sat with the 17 Lib Dem and Independent members on the benches opposite the now-minority Conservative administration.

If the Conservatives win back the Wellswood seat left vacant they will have 18 members on the council, the same as the number held by the L:ib Dems, Independents and Prosper Torbay combined.

If the seat is won by a Liberal Democrat or an Independent candidate, that would give them18 seats to the Conservatives’ 17 and Prosper Torbay’s one.

If that happened, it would mean the Lib Dems and Independents regaining control of the council.

If another Prosper Torbay candidate wins the seat, the situation will be as it was when Cllr Joyce was on the council.