City of Bayswater ratepayers could be going back to polls after two council members elected as state MPs

City of Bayswater ratepayers could be going back to the polls after two councillors were elected as State MPs on Saturday. The weekend election of former mayor Dan Bull to the seat of Maylands has created an extraordinary vacancy in Bayswater’s West ward. Additionally, Cr Lorna Clarke, who was also a member of the West ward, resigned in mid December last year and has now become the State member for Butler. Council is currently seeking approval from the Electoral Commissioner to hold Ms Clarke’s position vacant until local government elections scheduled for October this year. The resignations now leaves two of 10 councillor positions vacant. Vacancies can require an extraordinary election to take place between scheduled local government elections. In October 2023, the council reduced its councillor numbers from 11 to 10 and in 2025 council will make further reductions eight, removing one position from the North ward and one from the West. Following Mr Bull’s resignation, Cr Giorgia Johnson is the sole councillor responsible for the West ward, compared to at least two councillors for the other wards. At a council meeting on February 28, Ms Johnson said although she was unhappy about being the only member for the ward, the upcoming elections make sense as the best time to fill the position. Bayswater mayor Filomena Piffaretti said council will determine whether or not it wishes to hold an extraordinary election within the next four months for the remaining term of Mr Bull’s office or seek approval from the Electoral Commissioner to postpone the election. A report on this matter will be considered at the next council meeting on March 25. “On behalf of council, I would like to congratulate former mayor and councillor Dan Bull on his new role and thank him for the many years of service he has dedicated to the local community,” Ms Piffaretti said. “I also congratulate former councillor Lorna Clarke on her election and wish her well.” The City of Bayswater could have lost an additional council member but North ward councillor Michelle Sutherland was unsuccessful in her bid for the seat of Mt Lawley.