Westfield Parish Council has announced that it is pleased to welcome former Peasedown St John Councillor, Lesley Mansell, to the Parish Council this week, coming at a time when Peasedown has just spent money on a by-election for two empty seats. It was expected that Lesley Mansell would tender her resignation at the Peasedown St John Parish Council meeting on Tuesday evening, as The Journal went to press.

The by-election saw Nathan Hartley (Independent, 524 votes) and Ray Love (Liberal Democrat, 429 votes) elected by the public, with Danny Brothers, the Green candidate, missing out with 358 votes. However, all might not be lost for Mr Brothers, with a seat now unexpectedly vacant after all. The turnout was 15.31%.

Cllr Mansell, who has previously held the post of Chair of Radstock Town Council and who has more recently sat with fellow Labour parish councillor, Jonathan Rich, on Peasedown St John Parish Council, announced that she was to make the switch to Westfield after the results of the by-election this week and following a meeting which was due to see Cllr Anthony Clarke, Cabinet Member for Transport, attend to listen to views on the A367 village junction, which has been the subject of safety calls by the Ward Councillors and both Cllrs Mansell and Rich.

Chair of Westfield Parish Council, Cllr Geoff Fuller, said: “We had two vacancies and Lesley Mansell has been elected to fill one of the spaces. We feel she will be a great asset to Westfield with her knowledge and experience.”

Speaking about making the switch from Peasedown St John to Westfield, Lesley Mansell said: “I am delighted to be elected to Westfield Parish Council, it has such a lot going for it, a clear vision and a plan for the future, while it ensures its distinctive character is retained and promoted.

“I shall be sad to leave Peasedown St John Parish Council, the staff there are fantastic and I want to thank them for all their help and support.

“However, I do feel that the skills and expertise I have will be better used at Westfield, where I have already had a tremendous welcome.”

The remaining vacancy at Westfield Parish Council is to be filled by co-option at their meeting on 5th September.

If you would like more information, or to apply for this vacancy, please write with some background details about yourself to the Parish Council by 31st August, email: council@westfield parishcouncil.co.uk or send it to Westfield Parish Council, the Oval Office, Cobbler’s Way, Westfield BA3 3BX.

If you would like to chat about the role, please contact either the Chair of the Council, Cllr Geoff Fuller, on: 07540 998603 or the Clerk at the Parish Council office, Monday to Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., on: 01761 401669.

How and when the now vacant spot on Peasedown St John Parish Council will be filled remains to be seen.