A group of villagers in Peasedown St John say they are so fed up with their Parish Council that they have decided to stand against them at the 2nd May Parish Elections.

Group spokesperson, Gavin Heathcote, said: “We think the majority of the current Peasedown Parish Councillors are out of touch with public opinion. The council is outdated, doesn’t engage with residents, and most residents don’t even know there is a Parish Council!”

“The Parish Council’s recent decision to increase its precept (tax collected from parishioners) by 41% has sparked outrage across the community. Despite not being a town, people living in Peasedown St John now pay more than their counterparts living in Keynsham and Midsomer Norton.

“Peasedown Parish Council needs to be held accountable for its actions. No more hiding behind closed doors. No more sitting on large sums of taxpayers’ money with poor excuses on how to spend it!

“So many of us are sick and tired of the lack of representation from our parish councillors.

“You could spend a morning in the centre of Peasedown St John asking people to name the existing parish councillors, and most people would struggle to name two or three at the most. And there are seventeen altogether!”

Gavin Heathcote’s gang of five include Ricky Bullock, Gemma Gotts, Samantha Heathcote and Terance Stacey.

The Parish Council Elections will take place on the same day as the Bath & North East Somerset Council Elections on Thursday, 2nd May.