A PARISH Council by-election is to be held at Stockton Heath – despite an attempt by the Liberal Democrats to save council taxpayers £6,900 by not having one.
It will take place on Thursday, August 16 and candidates have been put forward by the Labour, Conservative and Green parties
The election in West Ward is caused by the resignation, on health grounds, of Liberal Democrat councillor Wendy Emsley.
Despite the fact that it was a Lib Dem-held seat, the party decided not to put forward a candidate because whoever is elected will serve for only 18 months and the cost to the public purse will be £6,900.
If only one candidate had been put forward, they would have been elected unopposed. If no candidate had materialised, the council could have co-opted a member to serve for the remaining 18 months.
In either case, the £6,900 would have been saved.
But three candidates have been nominated, as follows:
Lindsey Harrison (Labour), Lyndsay McAteer (Green), Stephen Taylor (Conservative).
Green candidate Lyndsay McAteer is Warrington born and bred and currently studying towards an MA in Criminal Justice at Liverpool John Moores University.
Her priorities include campaigning to prevent the closure of the Sandy Lane recycling facility in Stockton Heath, protecting existing green spaces and opposing all planned development on the green belt.
She said: “The people of Stockton Heath deserve to have a say and elect a parish councillor of their choice. I am passionate about community development, encouraging diversity, and youth engagement. I’m well-equipped to work on these issues due to my background in community development.
“Traffic congestions and air pollution are other key issues for Stockton Heath. The borough council need to rip up their local plan. It should be replaced by a neighbourhood development plan which works for everyone. I hope that the parishioners will put their faith in me.”
Stephen Taylor has previous experience as a parish councillor at Stockton Heath and as a borough councillor
Liberal Democrat Cllr Peter Walker said: “We are disappointed our attempt to save nearly £7,000 of public money has failed. But it is only for 18 months and we feel we have the moral high ground on this.”
Local Green Party leader Lyndsay McAteer
Parish election will cost nearly £7,000 public money
22 Comments
2 Comments
Alas the arrogant and self important really don’t care about wasting other people’s money. No doubt the turnout will be dire. And whilst I am sure the Liberal Democrats have an ulterior motive in not taking part, well done to them for not being part of wasting taxpayers’ money in this instance.
Well said Paul Kennedy !!
It’s disgusting how these 3 hopefuls have forced an election at Local Parish Level and are so keen to WASTE taxpayers money just for their own ‘political’ gain and self importance.
All that money could have been used for something else in the Parish which could have benefited the whole community.