| His resignation means the staging of another
by-election, a process that the district council says generally
costs around £3,000, and Mr Webb is furious. "What
a waste another Lyneham and Bradenstoke by-election,"
said Mr Webb.
"Now council tax payers face a bill for another by-election
of thousands for printing poll cards, paying council staff
and police at the polling stations and count. I know how much
work is involved in being a local councillor. So before I
stood for the Liberal Democrats I thought carefully about
my life and my responsibilities to the people if I was elected."
He said the money could be better spent on improving street
lighting, road safety measures, homes for local families and
recycling and proposed the Conservatives should not contest
the election this time. Coun Sturgis, said they would be contesting
the election and already had a candidate lined up.
He said Coun Elford was a member of the task group looking
into the provision of public conveniences and they had three
or four meetings within a month. "He was very enthusiastic
and did a good job, but he found it difficult," said
Coun Sturgis.
"He is somebody who wanted to do it 100 per cent right.
He was hard working and added to the work of the committee
so it is disappointing to lose him. "We will fight the
seat and hope to retain it with a bigger majority." It
was the second time Coun Elford had contested the seat. It
was held by Lib Dem Dennis Constable until July 2005.
Every seat is critical in maintaining the balance of power
at the Liberal Democrat controlled district council. The seats
are currently held by 26 Conservatives, 25 Lib Dems, one Labour
and one Independent. Although the Conservatives are the largest
single party the Lib Dems run the administration because the
Labour and Independent members have aligned with them. |
