A FORMER mayor of Barmouth has resigned from the town council.

Current mayor Matthew Harris told the last town council meeting that John Sam Jones had resigned from the council with immediate effect.

“It is my sad duty to inform the town council of his official resignation. He gave no official reason for resigning, but maybe that discussion will be for another time,” said Cllr Harris.

Cllr Jamie Brooks said that he had been to see the former mayor and tried to get him to reconsider his decision and have a rethink about it over the Christmas period and on his return from a holiday.

“He was a very valued member of the council,” added Cllr Brooks, with several other members agreeing with his comments.

The council heard that Mr Jones took part in several project groups in the town as an individual.

The mayor said there were procedures to follow when a member resigned.

Under local government regulations, when a member resigns it takes effect there and then and a change of mind is not a consideration, with the authority having to fill the vacancy as soon as practical after the county council has been informed.

To have an election to fill the vacancy, 10 local electors have to request an election.

If no election is requested then the council has to make arrangements to fill the vacancy by co-option.