LONE Brookthorpe-with-Whaddon parish councillor Steve Betts is holding the fort a after the mass resignation of his colleagues.
He had previously stood down, along with two others, in protest at an "intrusive" new online register of members' spouses interests.
Two other long-serving councillors also resigned, leaving the council without any members. But now Coun Betts, 48, has changed his mind and decided to stay.
He said: "I think it is best for the village. I am holding the reins. They don't want strangers making decisions for them."
Stroud District Council, which is in charge of local elections, has posted notice of casual vacancies on the parish council following the resignations. The deadline for 10 voters to call for an election is next Tuesday.
If there is no request for a vote, new councillors can be co-opted. Three residents have expressed an interest in becoming councillors.