Henley voters go to the polls in parish by-election

A PARISH council by-election is taking place in Henley today (Thursday) in the thick of an ongoing row between one member of the council and a number of other councillors.

Even the fact that a by-election is happening has triggered an argument, on the grounds that a contest will cost the tax payers £1,500. But the by-election's supporters maintain that this is better than having someone "appointed" to the council and that, in any case, it's a small price to pay for local democracy. The seat has become vacant because of the retirement of one of the five councillors who represent Beaudesert on Beaudesert and Henley Joint Parish Council. (The other seven seats on the council represent the town of Henley itself - one of them is now vacant, which means that there'll be another by-election on 27^th May.)

Local resident Sue Osborne, a businesswoman who's lived in Henley for 34 years, was the first to declare her candidacy (on the recommendation of rebel councillor Bill Leech, who was recently asked to resign from the council—a request he has signally refused to obey!). But Mrs Osborne faces a fight for the seat against former county councillor and current Stratford district Conservative councillor George Atkinson, who is also the district council's portfolio holder for planning.

There are some murmurings about the fact that Cllr Atkinson lives in neighbouring Wootton Wawen rather than Henley and represents Tanworth, rather than Henley, on the district council. However, Cllr Atkinson used to live in Henley and indeed, represented the town when he was a county councillor. He is also a former member of the parish council.

Yesterday (Wednesday) Cllr Atkinson told the Herald he wanted to rejoin the parish council because he was still involved with the council's employment and business committee. "There are a number of things we want to progress and this can be done more efficiently and effectively if I return and become a substantive member of the parish council," he said.

Henley has lost more than 500 jobs in recent times and Cllr Atkinson said he wanted to be part of the effort to revitalise some of the employment opportunities in the area.

But why does Mrs Osborne want the seat? She told the Herald'. "I've always been interested in the efficient and cost-effective running of any organisation, and have personal experience of running a home and family, a successful business, and a charity.

"I've made some critical comments about the parish, council in the past, and feel that it's not right to criticise unless you are prepared to offer your experience and skills.

"The offer may not be accepted, but that is for the electorate to decide. Several people have asked me if I can make any difference. That's an almost impossible question to answer, but I will never know until I am able to try. If I am elected I will certainly try."


Report by Preston Witts - Stratford Herald - Thursday 8th April 2010