Madam, Your readers will have seen from last week's Gazette that a Town Councillor has resigned and that local Conservatives have already apparently chosen their candidate.
Ten electors need to request an election. I ask Council Tax payers in Ross West ward nottodothat The reason for me asking them that is simple—cost If the Prime Minister calls the General Election, as he is expected to, for May 6th, the Town Council by-election will have to be held three weeks later, on May 27th, because of electoral law. I have been advised that this is likely to cost the Town Council between £3000 and £5000.
Even £3000, the lower figure, is a lot of money to pay to elect a single Town Councillor for less than a year. Bear in mind that all 12 Councillors will be up for re-election anyway on May 5th, 2011. I have spoken to a lot of people in the town andmost of them have told me that this would be a ridiculous waste of money, which could be better spent elsewhere.
So I hope that the interests of the Town Council finances will be put first and a by-election avoided. This is Council Taxpayers' money.
Of course, if an election is forced, the Liberal Democrats will need to put up a candidate and I have every confidence that we will find someone with fresh ideas and fresh energy to take the Town Council forward and continue the good work done since the last elections in May 2007.
Chris Bartrum, Chairman, Ross Liberal Democrats