Councillors in Burntwood have clashed after it emerged a by-election where less than 830 votes were cast had cost local tax payers almost £13,000.
The money was spent on the vote in the Boney Hay and Central ward in July 2017, which saw Labour’s Rob Birch secure his seat on Burntwood Town Council by 530 votes to 297.
His victory came following the resignation of Conservative member Natasha Pullen after she had won a seat on Staffordshire County Council.
But Cllr Birch had originally been earmarked to take the Chasetown seat following the resignation of Labour member Keith Willis-croft, after co-opting was used to fill the vacancy.
Labour say the Tories reneged on agreement to allow their candidate to fill the seat won by the party at the local elections after they chose to vote in Cllr Norma Bacon – a member of their own party – instead. The move meant any plan for co-option went out of the window when the Boney Hay and Central seat became available.
The result was a total cost to the taxpayer of £12,924.66 to run the by election – or more than £15 per vote cast.
Cllr Diane Evans, leader of the Labour group, said the actions of the Conservatives in going back on their word had cost the tax payer dearly, with the bill amounting to almost the same amount of grant aid the council gives out to local community groups.
“What a deplorable situation when this money could have far better been spent on good causes in the town,” she said.
“The Conservatives here have only themselves to blame and this is the cost of their political games. They should all hang their heads in shame.
“Cllr Birch is an excellent councillor and has made a real impact in the few short months since he was elected. I am proud to have him as a colleague. His attendance and commitment are exemplary, contrasting sharply with the invisibility and poor attendance rates of the previous incumbent.”
Cllr Doug Pullen, who now leads the Conservative-controlled council, voted to co-opt Cllr Birch with the rest of his party colleagues backing Cllr Bacon in the initial co-opting ballot.
But he says the decision to leave the tax payer footing a £13,000 bill was entirely down to Labour.
“This is a staggeringly hypocritical statement from them,” he said.
“When a councillor resigns there are two options to elect a new councillor – either a by-election is called or a councillor is co-opted at no cost. Labour called the election before a co-option took place.
“Labour knew there would be a cost associated with it, which is set by Lichfield District Council.
“I have no issue with democracy running its course, but Labour can’t ask for something and then complain that it costs money.”
But Cllr Birch said winning the seat said he believed “political shenanigans” had brought about the costly by-election.
He sadi: “I’m proud to have won the by-election and to represent the people of Boney Hay and Central Ward.
“But I am pretty disgusted that these totally avoidable costs have been incurred, simply because of Tory political shenanigans.
“I will ensure though that the residents get the representation they deserve and I work closely with Labour colleagues in the ward and with all colleagues, regardless of party politics at the council.”
