Peterborough Council explains why Fletton & Woodston by-elections cannot be contested at same time after deaths of two councillors
Following the recent sad passing of Labour Councillors Nick Thulbourn and Alan Dowson, the seats in their shared ward – Fletton & Woodston – stand to be contested via local by-elections.
However, the decision to contest the two councillor’s individual seats months apart has left many observers scratching their heads.
Indeed, many people have been asking why Cllr Thulbourn’s seat is being contested in February while candidates for Cllr Dowson’s seat will have to wait until May to go to the polls.
As one observer summed up: “Given the uncertainty around whether elections will take place or not, would it not make sense – and save the council money – for the council to hold the two by-elections on the same day?”
In an attempt to alleviate any confusion surrounding the situation, Peterborough City Council has endeavoured to clarify why the two by-elections will not take place simultaneously:
A Council spokesperson said: “Section 89(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 (LGA 1972) states that ‘where a casual vacancy in any such office occurs within six months before the day on which the councillor whose office is vacant would regularly have retired, an election shall not be held’.
“This is the case in this instance.
“A by-election seeks a councillor to serve for the remainder of the term, which in this case would be less than 3 months. At this time elections are still to take place in May.”
The by-election for Cllr Thulbourn’s Fletton & Woodston seat will take place on Thursday, February 12th.