By-election called for Henley council seat

NOMINATIONS for a vacant seat on Beaudesert and Henley Joint Parish Council were closing as the Herald went to press yesterday evening (Wednesday) and one resident has already put forward her name as a candidate.

The question is will anyone else put forward their name to challenge her? If the answer is yes, then it will be clear that residents are determined to have their say over who the next councillor will be.

The vacancy on the parish council, representing the Beaudesert ward, has arisen as the result of the disqualification of Cllr Kenneth Mitchll, who failed to turn up to parish council meetings for six months.

Sue Osborne, who has been a resident of Beaudesert for over 30 years, has already told the district council of her intention to stand as a candidate on the parish

council.            ,

Ms Osborne was educated in Henley and established the successful Pinks Farm Fruit Syrups business from her farm.

The district council, which administers the election, is unable to reveal if anyone else has chosen to stand until the nominations have closed.

Challenged

The vacancy on the council has arisen at an opportune time. Only recently, members of the parish council challenged residents to give up their own time and become councillors themselves if they thought they could do a better job following the debacle over the 'purple shop' in High Street.

Many councillors have been vehement in their opposition to the "garish" colour of Bespoke Curtains and Blinds of Henley. As a result, a number of residents have voiced concerns that the council's opposition is less about the conservation of the town and more about racism against the shop's proprietor.

Following the recent unrest caused by the council's handling of-the whole saga, which resulted in over 30 residents at a time packing out the fortnightly council meetings for answers and an apology which never came, it looks like residents want to exercise their democratic right to have a say over the next person to take a seat around the council's table.

The district council has confirmed that over ten people have petitioned the returning officer for an election instead of the usual co-option by the existing parish council members, which literally involves them choosing the next councillor themselves.

And it appears that residents are not even concerned about the cost this would incur on their own pockets.

For an uncontested election the cost is just £100. However, if the election is contested the actual cost will be recharged to the parish. This could amount to £1,500 but the parish council has the opportunity to slice £500 off this cost if it chooses not to send polling cards to electors.

The election date has been set for 8th April.  

Report by Philippa Mingins - Stratford Herald - Thursday 11th March 2010