By Nick Simon

I posted the official notification advertising the 2 open Parish council posts on the website yesterday. After reading the letter, I wondered whether I really understood the process  for electing a new Parish Councillor.

So I thought I’d look into it…

The official notification Says “…the Parish Council will fill the vacancies by co-option“. Not being an expert on these matters, I looked it up.

Wikipedia says: “A co-option is an election in which members of a committee (or similar group) vote to fill a vacancy on that committee or group”

So, it looks like the Parish Council is entitled, more so required to vote in new members itself, without a full election.

If there are two posts and only two candidates, then the process seems pretty straightforward, whoever puts themselves forward gets the job.

But what if there are 3, 4 or more candidates?

Apparently, and according to the rules, under these circumstances the Parish Council itself will choose which candidates get the job. Furthermore, they are not required to give their reasons.

So how do the Parishioners themselves get a say?

It works like this – if 10 Parishioners write to TVBC and request an election, then a full election is held and we are all able to cast our vote, completely democratically.

Speaking with Mike Cleugh, the acting MPC Chairman, he currently has 4 expressions of interest in the Parish Councillors posts. Whether these people will actually put themselves forward officially, we don’t know, but it does at least show that there is some interest within the village.

So, what do you think?

Should be have an election or leave it to the Parish Council to decide?

Fill out the ‘Have your say’ section below and let us have your opinion.

You can view the TVBC Notification here>