Residents of Peasedown St John will be casting their votes once again this week on Thursday, 11th April, following the resignation of three Parish Councillors – Cllr Neil Hopkins, Cllr Sam Hopkins and Cllr Kelly Souter.
The previous Parish Council by-election saw a 16% turnout, quite a high percentage for an election of this kind, and saw ex-Parish Clerk and former District Councillor, John Whittock voted back into local politics. With 47% of the vote, it seemed that villagers were overwhelmingly in support of an Independent candidate. John Whittock had been refused co-option by the existing Council previously.
This Thursday's by-election will see Peasedown 1st with three candidates – Tracy Ashman, Becci McCafferty (who stood in February's by-election and won 27% of the votes) and Kenny Torr.
There are also three Labour and Co-operative Party candidates – Briog McLaren, Jordan Ness and Jonathan Rich. The Labour Party have been particularly quiet in the promotion of their candidates for this by-election.
Kathy Thomas, well known for her involvement with the Peasedown St John Community Association and her promotion of the Beacon Hall as a community venue, will be standing as an Independent candidate on Thursday.
It will be interesting to see how the village votes this time around and if residents will come out in force to have their say.