Council responds to claims Durham Reform councillors have already quit
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has been told of several Reform councillors whose futures are in doubt due to their current employment within the council.
National legislation means employees are disqualified from standing as councillors at the same time.
Rumours have circulated during the past week of several councillors backing out of their previous commitments to serve the communities they were elected to.
However, Durham County Council has not confirmed who they are.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of a small number of allegations that newly elected councillors are unable to take their seats because they are council employees.
“As part of the process of standing in an election, each candidate must sign a declaration that they meet all the necessary statutory requirements to be able to stand. This is the candidate’s responsibility.
“If an employee was elected, they are not automatically disqualified from taking their seat, however, they must resign from their employment in order to continue to be a councillor.”
It is understood that candidates do not have to declare their place of employment on electoral nomination papers.
By-elections have been triggered elsewhere in England after Reform councillors resigned their roles just days after being elected.
The council spokesperson added: “Their election is susceptible to legal challenge by way of an election petition, which would need to be brought by another candidate or four electors in the relevant electoral division within the relevant time periods as set out in the legislation and associated guidance.”
Reform UK swept to victory at last week’s local elections in County Durham by winning 65 seats and gaining overall control of the council. The party identified County Durham as a battleground region to help grow its popularity and political status in the North East, with party leader Nigel Farage visiting multiple times in the lead up to polling day.
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Speaking in County Durham after the election last Friday, Mr Farage noted the challenges and responsibility ahead. “Most of our councillors are complete political virgins, but there are a few old lags in there,” he said. “We have got a big political job of work to do – and a big responsibility.”
The party leader added: “We haven’t got a magic wand, but I believe we can govern competently, we can reduce the size of local government and get it back to doing what it’s supposed to do.”
Reform UK has been contacted for comment.