By‑election called on finely-balanced council

A by-election is to take place following the death of a district councillor.

David Gair, Lutterworth East ward member on Harborough District Council, was 79 years old when he died in April.

Polling for the by‑election will take place on Thursday 2 July, with the list of candidates to be published after the deadline for nomination papers passes on Friday.

Following Labour politician Gair's death, the council's control was taken over by the Conservative group.

The Tories are the largest single party on the council, holding 16 of the 34 seats on the authority, though they do not have a majority.

In April, the Conservatives seized control of the authority by a single vote.

It had previously been run by a 16-strong coalition of Liberal Democrat, Labour, Green and independent councillors since 2023.

There are now seven Lib Dem councillors, four independents, three Greens, two Labour and a Reform UK councillor.

Gair had served as a district councillor since 2023, chairing the audit and standards committee and serving on the planning committee, having previously been a long-standing member of Lutterworth Town Council since 2008.

Gair had lived in Lutterworth since 1994, having previously been a Claybrooke Magna resident, and had two adult children.

He was a retired assistant head teacher, keen cyclist, gardener and traveller, said Harborough District Council.

Announcing his death, district council chief executive John Richardson said Gair was "a highly respected member of the council", while Lutterworth Town Council said: "His hard work and dedication to Lutterworth and its residents can only be mirrored by his approachable and friendly nature, and he will be deeply missed."

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