By-election date confirmed after Town Mayoress of Scarborough announces her resignation from council

An election will be held in the Castle ward of Scarborough Town Council after local residents requested a by-election to fill the vacancy that arose earlier this month.

​The by-election – which could cost almost £10,000 – will be held on Thursday, July 30, North Yorkshire Council has announced.

​The town council’s inaugural election was held in May 2025 and saw Reform UK take control with 11 out of 15 seats on the authority, which was created following the abolition of Scarborough Borough Council.

​Stacy Bolton, the Town Mayoress of Scarborough, announced her resignation “due to a change in personal circumstances” in early June.

​Ms Bolton was a member of two committees: vice chair of the staffing committee and a member of the finance and projects committee.

​​Based on the minutes of meetings published on the town council’s website, she attended two out of four meetings of the staffing committee and one out of four meetings of the finance and projects committee. She also attended five out of 10 full council meetings, including extraordinary meetings.

​Cllr Thomas Murray, the town mayor, thanked his partner, the mayoress, for “the support, work and commitment she gave during her time serving both the town and the community over the first year of a brand new Scarborough Town Council.

​“Public service is never easy, and throughout the past year Stacy supported me at countless civic engagements, meetings and community events across Scarborough as the new council found its feet.

​“Behind the scenes, she also made many personal sacrifices, and still does, to allow me to fulfil my role, including staying home with our son on many occasions so I can continue serving the town.”

​The final cost of the by-election will not be known until after the election, but North Yorkshire Council estimated it would be around £9,000, which will be borne by Scarborough Town Council.