Following a resignation in the summer, we currently have a Councillor Vacancy for Promenade Ward which we are looking to fill by co-option.
If a vacancy opens up on a parish or town council, and a by-election is not requested by residents in the relevant ward, a process called co-option is used to fill that vacancy. Eligible candidates can apply to be considered, they are then invited to speak at a public meeting where they would outline why they want to be a Councillor and what they would like to bring to the Council. Existing Councillors would consider each candidate and then vote on who they would like to appoint.
More information and full eligibility criteria is available to view here.
Uncontested elections for Penzance councillors in the three wards where not enough people put themselves forward to stand as candidates:
An election was held for Penzance East on Thursday 1st May 2025 – the full results can be viewed here.
On Monday 2 June, at an Extraordinary Penzance Council Meeting, four councillor vacancies were filled by co-option following presentations from a number of candidates. Four new Councillors were co-opted .
Following the resignation of one Councillor, who was elected at the May 2025 elections, one new Councillor was elected to Penzance Promenade Ward during a by-election in November 2025.
A casual vacancy on the council will usually arise if a Councillor has resigned or passed away. Vacancies can also come up if a Councillor fails to attend any meetings for six consecutive months, unless the reason for the failure was approved by the Council before the expiry of that six month period.
When a casual vacancy comes up we will advertise this on our website. Members of the public can also find vacancies listed for town and parish councils across Cornwall by visiting Cornwall Council’s Town and Parish Council Vacancies webpage.
Following Local Government re-organisation in 1974, the demise of Penzance Borough Council and the West Penwith Rural District Council, the Charter, civic regalia and traditions of the town were maintained by the Penzance Charter Trustees until the formation of Penzance Town Council in 1980.
Penzance Council today has 20 Councillors who, between them, serve 4 wards in the Parish area of Penzance, which includes Newlyn, Mousehole, Paul, Heamoor, and Gulval.
Following the Electoral Review in 2019, the ward boundaries of the Parish changed, resulting in 4 new wards:
Current Councillors will serve until the first week of May 2029 (a 4 year term of office).
If you require any of the information on this page in a different format please contact us.
