Another vote on the cards
People could be heading back to the polling station to elect a new councillor, the Wishaw Press can reveal.
A by-election at a cost to the taxpayers of £25,000 could be held in Fortissat if Conservative councillor Sandy Thornton does take up his position at the council by July 4.
Mr Thornton, who didn’t turn up at the election count at Ravenscraig, was elected to serve people in Shotts, Allanton, Morningside, Eastfield and Harthill, after the council elections on May 4.
But the Wishaw Press understand that he hasn’t signed a declaration to officially become a councillor because of ill-health and he didn’t think voters would have elected him.
It is understood that he never took part in campaigning or put any election leaflets through the doors of residents in the area.
Councillor Meghan Gallacher, Tory Group leader, told the Wishaw Press:“He is unwell due to personal issues. He now has to weigh up the options available to him and see if his health improves.
“He doesn’t want to let anyone down”
Fortissat SNP councillor Tommy Cochrane described Mr Thornton as a“ghost councillor”.
He said:“If he has ill-health why would he put himself forward on a ballot paper if he didn’t think that the could be elected. Why did he stand? Politics is not a game.
“I am angry if people are using this as a game.”
A council spokesman said:“All those elected to the council have two months to sign their declaration of acceptance.
“Until that is signed, Mr Thornton cannot carry out any of the functions of councillor.
“If the two months expires without the acceptance being signed, a by-election will be held.”