Another town councillor had resigned from Penrith Town Council, the town council has confirmed the resignation of Councillor Knaggs who had served on the council since been co-opted by councillors in June 2023.
Mr Knaggs’ tenure on the council was not without contention after been unsuccessful in his bid for re-election during the May 2023 local elections, he was co-opted back onto the council in July 2023. The co-option process—dubbed a "biscuit tin ballot" by a former councillor who later resigned claiming the town council was not fit for purpose.
During the cooption town councillors cast paper votes into a biscuit tin ballot box to fill a Penrith East Ward vacancy.
The town councils planning committee meeting on Monday evening announced that Mr Knaggs had resigned his position on the planning committee with Cllr Jackson thanking him for his time on the committee in the meeting.
It has now been confirmed that Mr Knaggs has also resigned fully from the town council having submitted his resignation from the council that has been accepted by the Mayor.
The town council's full council will meet on Monday the 13th January when councillors will be asked to fill vacancies on various committees now vacant following the resignation from the council submitted by Mr Knaggs and accepted by the Mayor.
Penrith Town Council, established in 2015, has experienced a higher-than-average rate of resignations compared to similar local councils. Since the May 2023 elections, two councillors have resigned already resigned.
The town council have informed Westmorland and Furness Council of the vacancy that could see a potential by-election if called by local residents to fill the vacant seat that could cost the town council around £10,000 to hold. If no election is called or no candidates come forward the town council could again co-opt to fill the vacancy created following the resignation.