Two new Hadleigh town councillors have been elected, without an election formally being held.

Angela Wiltshire and Rickaby Shearly-Sanders were the only two people nominated, so will automatically be confirmed as councillors and officially be in post on March 31, 2022.

Cllr Wiltshire will represent Hadleigh North ward, while Cllr Shearly-Sanders, successfully stood in Hadleigh South ward, while two vacancies still remain.

Although Cllrs Wiltshire and Shearly-Sanders are both Labour party members neither stood under their banner for these town elections.

Both have previously served on Hadleigh town councillor and so experienced at public life.

As an election was called to fill the vacancies, the town council cannot simply co-opt to the remaining two vacancies.  

Babergh will readvertise the election of two councillors and seek nominations. This process will continue until the vacancies are filled.

The situation is different when an election is not requested, as the town could have then co-opted 14 days after the notice of vacancy was published.