Council taxpayers in Mirfield could be spared another costly by-election.

The last by-election on Mirfield Town Council in August – in which only 1,000 people voted – cost around £10,000.

There were fears that after the resignation of the only remaining Labour councillor, another poll would be called.

But Mirfield Labour Party has announced that it will not call a by-election. Instead it is expected a new councillor will be ‘co-opted’ or appointed without the need for an election.

Labour councillor Gary Bunton, 26, only elected for the Eastthorpe ward in May, stood down after being offered a job training opportunity in Bristol.

The ruling Tories will not call a by-election and now Mirfield Labour Party has also said it will follow suit, though that does not stop local residents or another party triggering a by-election.

In August a by-election was held amid a furious political row. Former Mayor of Mirfield Michael Hutchinson was elected for Battyeford in May but failed to sign a declaration to take up his seat because he was visiting a sick relative in Canada.

Mr Hutchinson blamed political manoeuvring by the Tories to keep him out and a by-election was called by Labour supporters to right the “injustice.”

Mr Hutchinson narrowly lost to Tory candidate Martin Ibberson, with just over 1,000 people – a fifth of the electorate – turning out to vote.

The election, costing an estimated £10,000 to stage, was branded a “waste of money”. The town council has yet to receive the final bill from Kirklees Council, which ran the election.

Commenting on Labour’s decision not to call a by-election, Mr Hutchinson, also local party secretary, said: “Gary Bunton was clearly making a positive contribution to the town council’s deliberations but he has done the honourable thing in resigning. We wish him well.

“The situation in Eastthorpe is completely different from that which arose in Battyeford. In Battyeford, a by-election offered the only hope of correcting an injustice and we commend the residents who called for one to be held.

“We do not consider that the different circumstances in Eastthorpe warrant the holding of a by-election there.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and make future decisions about elections and candidatures on the basis of the facts at the time.”

Town council chairman and Mayor of Mirfield Clr Vivien Lees-Hamilton welcomed Labour’s decision and said: “If no election is called the vacancy will fall to co-option.

“Anyone eligible for co-option will be able to apply and the successful candidate will be chosen on their merits and suitability for the job.”

The Examiner understands Mr Hutchinson has lodged official complaints over his treatment against the town clerk and Clr Lees-Hamilton.