Three parties are set to battle it out in a by-election for vacant seats on Lichfield District Council and Lichfield City Council.
The vacancies in the Curborough ward came about following the death of Conservative member Jeanette Allsopp earlier this year.
The by-election will take place on July 5, with the seat on Lichfield District Council contested by:
- Colin Ball (Labour)
- Lee Cadwallader-Allan (Liberal Democrats)
- Jayne Marks (Conservatives)
The Lichfield City Council election hopefuls will be:
- Colin Ball (Labour)
- Paul Jones (Conservatives)
- Richard Rathbone (Liberal Democrats)
People living in the Curborough ward who are not already registered to vote will have until midnight on June 19 to sign up online.
Voting will take place at two polling stations at Charnwood Primary School and Willows Primary School.
My comment was initially asking about the mix match of candidates, but from some googling; Jayne Marks is already on City Council representing; Pentire Road Ward and now running for district for a different ward. Pentire Road south of city, Curborough to the north? I wonder which citizens will take priority? Those represented by the no-pay seat on City Council, or those represented by a “salary” seat on district?
As for the LibDems, I’m unsure if any hold a seat right now? Though I won’t look too much into it. I don’t see many Yellows in my neck-of-the-woods. But I hope they do well, it’s pretty boring just having Blues vs Reds.
The name of Labour’s candidate did ring a few bells. Seems he has been the Red’s guy for Lichfield since the 2011 elections. I applaud the consistency, and I look forward to seeing the 2011 and 2015 cast back for another showing next year
I fail to understand why we do not become a Unitary Authority. It seems that a lot of money could be saved every year, by reducing a lot of the duplication that must exist, in having a District and a City Council.
Colin Ball is a thoroughly good chap, Lichfield through-and-through. He’ll be getting my vote.
Woah woah, calm down Steve! By adopting a UA system, we risk becoming an efficient and responsible council that could more easily respond to the needs and issues of the local area.
Following the recent debacle at Lichfield District Council, I hope the residents of Curborough ward will remember this when it comes to the by election on July 5th and they have the opportunity to ensure the Labour candidate Colin Ball is elected as the most credible candidate.
@Steve – I think you mean ‘unparished’ in this context (like Tamworth Borough). Being a Unitary Authority would mean combining Lichfield District with Staffordshire County.
I’m not arguing for or against, I’m just a bit of a pedant.
After the fiasco of Friarsgate and the clandestine secret meeting of the Tory led council it’s time for a change. Colin Ball is honest and perceptive. Vote Labour TIME FIR A CHANGE IN LICHFIELD
Why don’t Labour and LibDems agree to field one candidate and so crush the Tory candidate? Think strategically to give Wilcox a bloody nose and out of Leadership.
@Steve / Buttercup. The City Council is largely a parish council. It’s scope of activity is limited to the city and its ceremonial affairs. The District Council is much larger with greater statuary powers and mostly ignores the City Council. It would save some expenses to remove the City Council but these are relatively insignificant. The cabinet of the District Council carries most weight and that has been the main problem with Friarsgate. The council officers have a good degree of autonomy and operate along the lines of the Local Government Act. There is accountability (of a sorts) but they work on the principle of presumed acceptance of sustainable development. They, of course, are not elected but have to comply with a code of conduct. Perhaps, like me, you may feel this is a strange interpritation of democracy, but with minor variations is how most local councils operate.
I have been saying that for years CC.
They all love the party political stuff. Then when the Tories get in, they all moan.
I agree a “unity” candidate would be great. But it will never happen.