Calls for an election to be held for a West Cumbrian parish council has resulted in the authority telling taxpayers: ‘It will cost you money’.
Villagers in Seascale exercised their democratic right to call for the election following the resignation of two councillors.
But Seascale Parish Council, in a social media post, said an election would place a burden on taxpayers of around £3 per household.
It said an election had been requested by 10 residents of the village and added: “We hope that the 10 residents who got together to get this election called put themselves forward to stand as this election will cost local taxpayers and Seascale Parish Council £3,000 – approximately £3 per household – this cost covers running a polling station and distribution voter slips.
“If nobody/not enough people stands the election will be cancelled and reposted at a cost to Seascale Parish Council and local taxpayers.”
Minutes from a recent parish council meeting suggested that an election would cost £3,500.
Cumberland Council has refused to comment directly on the post made by Seascale Parish Council – but has commented on the election process as the responsible electoral body.
A spokesperson for Cumberland Council said: “Parish councils are responsible for giving notice of any casual vacancies that occur in their area.
“Any vacancies must be advertised for a period of 14 working days, to give the residents in that area the opportunity to request an election.
“Any requests for an election must be delivered to the returning officer at Cumberland Council and not the parish clerk. If a request is received from 10 or more electors, an election must be held.
“If fewer than 10 requests are received, no election is required, and the vacancy can be filled by co-option.
“It is the responsibility of the returning officer to deliver the election, however all costs associated with the management and delivery of parish council elections are paid by the relevant parish council.
“The parishes are recharged at the actual going rates of the services provided, these include:
- Printing and postage of poll cards
- Printing and postage of postal votes
- Printing of ballot papers
- Polling station, tendered and postal ballot papers
- Venue hire for polling stations
- Staffing costs: Returning officer, presiding officers, poll clerks, polling station inspectors, count assistants and postal vote openers
- Any other staff costs in relation to running the poll on the day
- Hire and delivery of equipment
- Administration costs
“If the election is uncontested, there would be a small admin charge to cover the cost of processing nominations and other admin tasks involved with the setup of the election.”
After the resignations, Seascale Parish Council has five councillors.
When members leave a parish or town council and it is not within six months of an ordinary election, the council publishes a notice of casual vacancy.
After 14 working days, if 10 or more people request an election, an election must be called.
If there are fewer than 10 requests, people can be co-opted onto the council and their nomination to the council must be approved by an absolute majority of the council.
Currently, Seascale Parish Council has a vacancy for a co-opted member, plus the two vacancies created by the resignations.
People have until April 24 at 4pm to make a nomination. If there is more than one candidate, an election will be held on May 22.
Seascale Parish Council has also refused to comment on the post and referred Cumbria Crack to Cumberland Council.
