Here is some background to the by-election in the Stratton ward of Biggleswade Town Council in Central Bedfordshire unitary authority.
Biggleswade Town Council comprises 15 members, elected from three wards as follows – Holme (3), Ivel (7) and Stratton (5).
In 2007, when Biggleswade was part of Mid Bedfordshire District, the previous electoral arrangements provided for Holme (4), Ivel (6) and Stratton (5).
In 2007, the three parish wards were each coterminous with the Mid Bedfordshire district ward of the same name.
In 2011, Holme and Stratton parish wards were combined to form the Biggleswade South ward of Central Bedfordshire district.
The council strengths were:
Elections on 3 May 2007: Con 9, Lab 5, Ind 1
Elections on 5 May 2011: Con 12, Lab 3
The town mayor and deputy mayor are Conservative.
The result in Stratton ward on 3 May 2007 was:
Con 3, Lab 2 unopposed
The result in Stratton ward on 5 May 2011 was:
Con 1200/1149/1069/1046/990, Lab 941/867
Elected: Con 5
Michael North held the by-election on 15 November 2012 in Holme ward, caused by the death of Peter Vickers (Con).
The by-election in Stratton ward on 4 April is caused by the death of Peter Woodward (Con). Peter Woodward was a former mayor of Biggleswade and father of the current mayor, Tim Woodward, who also won a seat on Central Bedfordshire District in the Biggleswade South by-election on 15 November.
The three candidates are Labour, Conservative and Independent.
The result in the Biggleswade Stratton ward of Mid Bedfordshire District on 3 May 2007 was:
Con 509/497, Lab 322/292, BNP 224
Elected: Con 2
The result in the Biggleswade South ward of Central Bedfordshire District on 5 May 2011 was:
Con 1648/1604, Lab 1121/1043
Elected: Con 2
The result of the Biggleswade South by-election in Central Bedfordshire District on 15 November 2012 was:
Con 642, Lab 523, Independent 437, Lib Dem 73
