LYDNEY may face another expensive election for a town councillor hard on the heels of its latest appointment – on a miserable voter turnout of just two per cent.
Notices have gone out calling for nominations for the seat which must be in the hands of the returning officer not later than noon on Friday. If the position is contested the poll will take place on Thursday, January 31.
Town stalwart Derek Biddle said it was a ridiculous situation which left the town council facing as much as £4,000 to run another election, probably for much the same turnout which saw Conservative Bill Osborne elected just a matter of weeks ago.
"It is money the town council can ill afford when there are projects like the much-needed youth cafe which are crying out for funding," said Mr Biddle.
"We have only just paid out for one election and now we face the expense of another.
"While we can co-opt a candidate for the vacancy there only needs to be one other nomination to make a poll necessary."
The present vacancy is caused by Helen Pugh stepping down after her employer transferred her post to Gloucester.
Nomination papers are available from The Returning Officer, Council Offices, High Street, Coleford.
Changes to existing postal vote or proxy vote arrangements must reach the electoral registration officer at the council offices in Coleford by 5pm on Wednesday, January 16.
New applications for postal or proxy votes must reach the electoral registration officer by 5pm on January 23.