2023-24 Local Government By-Elections

[carolus]

Feb 11, 2024 18:38:34 GMT Davıd Boothroyd said:

Feb 9, 2024 18:37:13 GMT carolus said:

I'm a little bit surprised that in Lancaster we're getting a byelection for Castle but not yet for the longer standing vacancy in C&M.

It's not really surprising - Shelagh McGregor resigned because she was moving away, while Paul Gardner died relatively suddenly.

Why does that make it not surprising? Gardner died on 16 December, his funeral was 9 January, the notice of vacancy was published on 12 January, at which point I should have thought the precise circumstances lose their relevance. The Castle notice of vacancy wasn't published on 26 January.

I think it's pretty unusual for the shorter but not longer standing vacancy to be called when a council has multiple. That said, I'm still surprised that there are any vacancies where the election goes uncalled for any length of time. In fact, I don't really see the point of requiring electors to request the election - it might make sense where there is scope for co-option (e.g. for parishes), but otherwise it seems rather silly.

[Harry Hayfield]

As I have mentioned here in the past, Wales varies from council to council about the speed of by-elections for local councils. Ceredigion seems to want them done as fast as possible (Llanfarian and Penparcau done within a week of the councillor standing down) whereas in Neath and Port Talbot council they take forever to fill.

[Davıd Boothroyd]

Feb 11, 2024 18:53:51 GMT carolus said:

Feb 11, 2024 18:38:34 GMT Davıd Boothroyd said:

It's not really surprising - Shelagh McGregor resigned because she was moving away, while Paul Gardner died relatively suddenly.

Why does that make it not surprising?

Simply, if a councillor finds they need to resign for work reasons, their party can get things ready in the background and only have them formally resign when the byelection campaign is prepared - so the gap between resignation and calling the byelection is short. If a councillor dies suddenly, the preparation takes place while the seat is vacant.

There is often coordination between local parties and the electoral services officer to have simultaneous byelections.

I think it's pretty unusual for the shorter but not longer standing vacancy to be called when a council has multiple. That said, I'm still surprised that there are any vacancies where the election goes uncalled for any length of time. In fact, I don't really see the point of requiring electors to request the election - it might make sense where there is scope for co-option (e.g. for parishes), but otherwise it seems rather silly.

It is rather pointless, but does allow some way for local parties to plan things (assuming there is no local busybody who happens to know about the system). It also allows for seats to be left vacant if they have come up just before the six month deadline. However the Scottish alternative of giving discretion to the council's Chief Executive seems to work perfectly well.

[carolus]

Pembrokeshire, St Ishmaels (2027). Reg Owens (Independent) has been removed from the list of councillors.

[carolus]

Flintshire, Brynford & Halkyn (2027). Jean Davies (Conservative) has been removed from the list of councillors.

[MacShimidh]

Highland, Inverness South (2027). Colin Aitken (Liberal Democrat) has resigned.
www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/inverness-south-councillor-colin-aitken-resigns-from-highlan-342022/

[michaelarden]

Feb 11, 2024 18:35:20 GMT Terry Weldon said:

Waverley: Milford and Witley.

Paul Follows, leader of Waverley BC, is hoping to delay the election until the May locals, to co-incide with the PCC election and so save costs. He'll be approaching Tories to ask for their agreement. (Other parties on WBC will not be standing: Farnham Residents are only interested in their patch, and Labour and Greens are in coalition with LibDems).

What an entitled prick. It's not in his gift. I hope two electors just call it to prevent the residents of the ward from going unrepresented for so long.

[carolus]

I don't think I would go quite that far - with the system as it is there is nothing improper about attempting to arrange things like that, even if the success of the venture is at the mercy of electors. It's quite clear from various and many examples that parties of all colours (and I suspect electoral services departments) do their best to arrange things such that byelections occur at times that are convenient (either politically or organisationally). And further that in many cases electors are entirely disinterested in forcing the matter.

In this case we're probably talking about a delay of a few weeks to a month in filling the vacancy which, whilst not ideal, is not an outrageous situation. I find more concerning situations like Cullercoats where the vacancy is four months old and presumably will now not be filled until May, or some of the ones last year that went eight to nine months unfilled.

All that said, as mentioned earlier, I don't see the point of requiring the explicit requests for election, and I think it would be sensible to adjust the system so that these manouevres can't be performed, and instead byelections are called automatically (perhaps with some minor leeway permitted for organisational purposes, or allowing a small delay to coincide with scheduled coterminous elections).

[swanseaoptimist]

Feb 3, 2024 9:04:35 GMT timrollpickering said:

Jan 29, 2024 16:09:27 GMT swanseaoptimist said:

I've heard that Welsh authorities may increasingly do this over 2024 to avoid any risk of clashing with a General Election. With different electorates (over 16s, foreign nationals etc.), and since autumn 2023 different absent voter lists as well, and of course different voter ID requirements, having a General Election on the same day as a devolved (local or Senedd) election would be a recipe for confusion.

What's the difference with absent voter lists?

With the new 3 year limit on UK election postal votes (and other changes such as requiring NI number), which have not been replicated in Wales, voters now have to register separately for absent votes in devolved and reserved elections, and LAs effectively hold two separate lists. They can register using the same form though, just have to tick both boxes.

[hempie]

Cambridgeshire,Yaxley and Farcet will be on Thursday 21st March

[LDCaerdydd]

Cllr Absul Sattar, Labour Councillor for Grangetown in Cardiff has died.

Firstly elected 2017, reelected 2022.

[carolus]

22 February:
Buckinghamshire, Farnham Common & Burnham Beeches (2025). David Anthony (Conservative) has resigned.
Buckinghamshire, Hazlemere (2025). Ron Gaffney (Conservative) has died.
Derbyshire Dales, Bakewell (2027). Mark Wakeman (Conservative) has been removed from the list of councillors.
Derbyshire Dales, Norbury (2027). Tony Morley (Conservative) has died.
Folkestone & Hythe, Romney Marsh (2027). Liz Grant (Conservative) has resigned.
Milton Keynes, Loughton & Shenley (2027). Brigid McBride (Labour) has resigned.
Scottish Borders, Jedburgh & District (2027). Pam Brown (SNP) has resigned.
Wiltshire, Calne Chilvester & Abberd (2025). Tony Trotman (Conservative) has died.

29 February:
East Riding of Yorkshire, Minster & Woodmansey (2027). Peter Astell (Liberal Democrat) has died.
East Riding of Yorkshire, Tranby (2027). Viv Padden (Liberal Democrat) has died.
Horsham, Henfield (2027). Malcolm Eastwood (Independent) has died.
Horsham, Southwater North (2027). Mike Wood (Liberal Democrat) has resigned.
Great Yarmouth, Central & Northgate (2027). Mike Smith-Clare (Labour) has been disqualified for non-attendance.

6 March:
Carmarthenshire, Elli (2027). John Jenkins (Independent) has resigned.

7 March:
Bridgend, Aberkenfig (2027). Ellie Richards (Plaid Cymru) has resigned.
Glasgow, Hillhead (2027). Hanzala Malik (Labour) has died.
Lewisham, Mayoral (2026). Damien Egan (Labour) has resigned.
Mid Devon, Upper Yeo Valley & Tawe (2027). Stewart Penny (Independent, elected as Conservative) has been removed from the list of councillors.

14 March:
Lancaster, Castle (2027). Shelagh McGregor (Green) has ceased to be a councillor.
Wiltshire, Cricklade & Latton (2025). Bob Jones (Liberal Democrat) has died.

21 March:

Cambridgeshire, Yaxley & Farcet (2025). Mac Maguire (Conservative) has died.

Flintshire, Brynford & Halkyn (2027). Jean Davies (Conservative) has been removed from the list of councillors.

Knowsley, Whitefield (2026). Steve Guy (Independent) has been disqualified for non-attendance.

North Kesteven, Heckington Rural (2027). Stewart Ogden (Conservative) has resigned.

28 March:
Orkney, Stromness & South Isles (2027). James Stockan (Independent) has resigned.

Known Vacancies where a byelection is expected:

Angus, "Arbroath West, Letham & Friockheim" (2027). David Fairweather (Independent) has resigned.

Cardiff, Grangetown (2027). Absul Sattar (Labour) has died.

Cornwall, "Looe West, Pelynt, Lansallos & Lanteglos" (2025). Edwina Hannaford (Liberal Democrat) has died.

Croydon, Woodside (2026). Mike Bonello (Labour) has resigned.

Highland, Inverness South (2027). Colin Aitken (Liberal Democrat) has resigned.

Ipswich, St John's (2026). Sophie Connelly (Labour) has died.
Lancaster, Carnforth & Millhead (2027). Paul Gardner (Labour) has died.
Neath Port Talbot, Neath East (2027). Sheila Penry (Labour) has died.
North Northamptonshire, Desborough (2025). Mike Tebbutt (Conservative) has died.

North Tyneside, Cullercoats (2024). Linda Arkley (Conservative) has died.

Pembrokeshire, St Ishmaels (2027). Reg Owens (Independent) has been removed from the list of councillors.

Somerset, Somerton (2027). Dean Ruddle (Liberal Democrat) has died.
Teignbridge, Ashburton & Buckfastleigh (2027). Huw Cox (Liberal Democrat) has died.
Waverley, Milford & Witley (2027). Andy Law (Liberal Democrat) has died.
Worcestershire, Evesham North West (2025). Peter Griffiths (Conservative) has died.

Known Vacancies where the six month rule applies and so a byelection will not be held:
Barnsley, Darton East (2024). Mat Crisp (Liberal Democrat) has resigned.
Barnsley, Kingstone (2024). Pooja Ramchandani (Labour) has ceased to be a councillor.
Basildon, Billericay East (2027). David Dadds (Conservative) has ceased to be a councillor.
Calderdale, Illingworth & Mixenden (2024). Guy Beech (Conservative) has ceased to be a councillor.
Castle Point, Canvey Island North (2024). John Payne (Canvey Island Independent Party) has ceased to be a councillor.
Havant, Hart Plain (2024). Carly Scannell (Conservative) has ceased to be a councillor.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Lemington (2024). Jason Smith (Newcastle Independents) has resigned.
North Tyneside, Valley (2024). Carole Burdis (Labour) has died.
Pendle, Earby & Coates (2024). Rosemary Carroll (Conservative) has ceased to be a councillor.
Rossendale, Longholme (2024). Steve Hughes (Labour) has resigned.
Stroud, Nailsworth (2024). Norman Kay (Green) has died.

[sirnorfolkpassmore]

Feb 12, 2024 17:43:26 GMT michaelarden said:

Feb 11, 2024 18:35:20 GMT Terry Weldon said:

Waverley: Milford and Witley.

Paul Follows, leader of Waverley BC, is hoping to delay the election until the May locals, to co-incide with the PCC election and so save costs. He'll be approaching Tories to ask for their agreement. (Other parties on WBC will not be standing: Farnham Residents are only interested in their patch, and Labour and Greens are in coalition with LibDems).

What an entitled prick. It's not in his gift. I hope two electors just call it to prevent the residents of the ward from going unrepresented for so long.

It isn't unrepresented as it's a three member ward... and indeed, it's an unusual three-way split (one Independent, one Lib Dem, and one Tory councillor).

It's ultra-close as you'd guess from the split, and they may not agree to it, but it's hardly a ludicrous request, in February, to have it in May. It isn't an unusual level of delay, and does in fact save a (relatively small) sum in public money to run it in parallel with PCC elections.

[andrewteale]

Feb 18, 2024 8:13:25 GMT sirnorfolkpassmore said:

Feb 12, 2024 17:43:26 GMT michaelarden said:

What an entitled prick. It's not in his gift. I hope two electors just call it to prevent the residents of the ward from going unrepresented for so long.

It isn't unrepresented as it's a three member ward... and indeed, it's an unusual three-way split (one Independent, one Lib Dem, and one Tory councillor).

It's ultra-close as you'd guess from the split, and they may not agree to it, but it's hardly a ludicrous request, in February, to have it in May. It isn't an unusual level of delay, and does in fact save a (relatively small) sum in public money to run it in parallel with PCC elections.

If the seat had only just fallen vacant I would agree with you, but the previous councillor died over a month ago. Unless we're close to the end of the term, four months is too long for seats to be vacant.

[sirnorfolkpassmore]

Feb 18, 2024 10:17:11 GMT andrewteale said:

Feb 18, 2024 8:13:25 GMT sirnorfolkpassmore said:

It isn't unrepresented as it's a three member ward... and indeed, it's an unusual three-way split (one Independent, one Lib Dem, and one Tory councillor).

It's ultra-close as you'd guess from the split, and they may not agree to it, but it's hardly a ludicrous request, in February, to have it in May. It isn't an unusual level of delay, and does in fact save a (relatively small) sum in public money to run it in parallel with PCC elections.

If the seat had only just fallen vacant I would agree with you, but the previous councillor died over a month ago. Unless we're close to the end of the term, four months is too long for seats to be vacant.

Four months certainly isn't too long for one seat in a three member ward on a district council to be vacant, particularly in the context of a death (which surely calls for a bit of sensitivity on calling before the funeral) and where it is in opponents' hands to trigger it.

Realistically, this will have negligible impact on how the service is delivered to residents, and you're talking about calling on hundreds of people to go out to vote in March when they're voting six weeks later anyway for a different set of elections. 

I'm afraid your response is that of a bit of a political geek - which I totally get myself, but isn't really where most people are.

[slicesofjim]

Longstanding Green councillor and four-time mayor of Bideford Peter Christie (Green, Bideford North: Torridge District Council and Bideford Town Council) has died. His terms were due to end in 2027.

democracy.torridge.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145
www.bideford-tc.gov.uk/

[carolus]

East Devon, Exmouth Brixington (2027). Fred Caygill (Conservative) has been removed from the list of councillors.

[andrewteale]

The death has been announced of Peter Rush, Labour councillor for North Heywood ward, Rochdale Council. The six month rule applies.

[andrewp]

Somerton, Somerset is on 28th March

[hempie]

Cambridgeshire, Yaxley and Farcet candidates:
Kev Gulson (Con)
Sally Ann Howell (Ind)
Richard Ilett (Lab)
Eilisa Westerman ((Green)
Andrew Richard Wood (Lib Dem)

Kev Gulson is a District Councillor for Y&F and a Yaxley Parish Councillor. Sally Howell is a District Councillor for Y & F. Andrew Wood stood for the Lib Dems in the last District election for Y&F and is vice chair of Yaxley Parish Council. I don't know anything about the Labour and Green candidates. I don't think the Greens have ever stood here.
The Lib Dems are already leafletting.