A by-election has been called in Tring Central after a borough councillor failed to attend a meeting for six months.

National legislation means that independent councillor Carole Weston was removed from office after the six month period elapsed.

Ms Weston was elected as a Liberal Democrat in 2023, and was one of eight female councillors who resigned from the party’s group in September 2024 after accusing the council’s then leader, Adrian England, of failing to deal with allegations of bullying and sexual harassment against former leader Ron Tindall.

The council’s standards committee had dismissed complaints against Cllr Tindall, who denied the allegations, despite a council-commissioned report concluding that he had “sexually harassed” a councillor who “didn’t feel comfortable being left alone in a room” with him.

A by-election has been called for Carole Weston's seat on Dacorum Borough Council next month, however she will remain a town councillor in Tring. Credit: Tring Town Council.

placeholder image — A by-election has been called for Carole Weston's seat on Dacorum Borough Council next month, however she will remain a town councillor in Tring. Credit: Tring Town Council.

Cllr England resigned as leader of the council in February last year after a regional party investigation found “numerous examples of a failure of leadership”, as well as “significant additional information and evidence consistent with allegations of sexism and misogyny” against Cllr Tindall.

Cllr Tindall was suspended from the Liberal Democrat group in July 2024 and currently sits as an independent.

Following Ms Weston’s removal as a councillor, the council is made up of 19 Liberal Democrats, 18 Conservatives, nine independents and four Labour members, with one vacancy.

Ms Weston remains a Liberal Democrat councillor for Bunstrux ward on Tring Town Council.

A spokesperson for Dacorum Borough Council said: “The vacancy in the Tring Central ward arose in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.

“This states that a councillor who fails to attend a qualifying meeting for a period of six consecutive months, without an approved reason for absence, ceases to hold office.

“The council has followed the statutory process for declaring the vacancy and arranging the subsequent by-election.

“Residents of Tring Central will now have the opportunity to elect a representative to fill the vacant seat.

“Information about the by-election, including nomination and polling dates, will be published through the council’s usual electoral notices and on the council’s website.”

Voting in the by-election is due to take place on Thursday December 10.