Bermudian John Holdipp III has been sworn in as the new Common Councillor of the City of Hamilton as a result of the resignation of Troy Symonds.

Mr Holdipp was sworn at City Hall after he emerged as the “one person nominated and therefore elected by acclamation”.

The sole nomination eliminated the need to fill the seat vacated by way of a municipal by-election on December 9.

Mr Symonds was elected in May and subsequently tendered his resignation.

Nomination day for the now cancelled election took place on November 12.

Mr Symonds said he quit after officials voted to pay themselves for attending meetings.

He was quoted as saying: “The political climate has made it impossible. There are a number of agendas going on and the Corporation hasn’t made all the right decisions to address them.”