A by-election date has been confirmed following the death of Terry Porter, a dedicated and long-serving councillor for North Somerset.
Mr Porter served as a Conservative councillor for Hutton and Locking since 2009 and was acknowledged as one of the council’s most active members. He passed away peacefully at his home on Friday 26 June, prompting heartfelt tributes from council colleagues across the political spectrum.
The by-election to fill the vacancy in the Hutton and Locking ward is scheduled for Thursday 10 September. Independent councillor Mike Solomon continues to represent the ward alongside the late Mr Porter.
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Candidates standing in the election will be officially announced on Friday 14 August, while the deadline to register to vote is Monday 24 August.
Michael Pryke, leader of the Conservative opposition group on the council and councillor for Clevedon Walton, expressed his sorrow at Mr Porter’s passing in June. He said: “I will personally miss his advice and thoughtful contributions shared with his usual good humour and charm.”
Reflecting on Mr Porter’s career, Mr Pryke added: “Terry dedicated his life to public service and to the communities he loved. Having first served as a councillor on Hutton Parish Council, he was elected to North Somerset Council in 2009 to represent the residents of Hutton and Locking, a role he carried out with unwavering commitment for more than 17 years.
“Throughout his time on North Somerset Council, Terry served in a number of important positions, including chair of Council. He was widely respected across the political spectrum as a thoughtful, diligent and principled councillor.”
Independent Yatton councillor Steve Bridger, in a Facebook post, paid tribute to Mr Porter, stating: “It’s all too easy to be cynical about politics and those who serve in it, but Terry was genuinely the epitome of a conscientious, passionate, and genuinely kind public servant, and the council is poorer for his passing.”
At the time of his death, Mr Porter was vice-chair of the council’s planning committee and a member of two scrutiny panels. In April, at a full council meeting, he delivered a passionate speech urging fellow councillors to support plans to transform the Tropicana site into a major music arena, saying, “I think this is the last chance for the Tropicana.”
Recalling his connection to the lido, he shared that he had grown up swimming there during the 1950s and 1960s. Notably, in 2012, he broke ranks with the Conservative administration by opposing the decision to demolish the lido. A revised arena proposal was later approved in May with full support from the Conservative group.
Beyond his council duties, Mr Porter was an active member of the Hutton Horticultural Society and played a significant role in organising the annual Hutton Show.
Polling stations for the by-election will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 10 September. Voters are reminded to bring an accepted form of photo identification in order to cast their vote.