The best and worst of... Small market town... Big issues...
(And no that is not the real council's crest, this one even has 3 roast chickens on it)
The best and worst of... Small market town... Big issues...
(And no that is not the real council's crest, this one even has 3 roast chickens on it)
4th SEPTEMBER 2024
The ever sprawling metropolis that is Ross-on-Wye (or so we’re led to believe that it’s going to become by one County Councillor this week in the press) is split into three “wards”, like a hospital or prison.
There is the 'West Ward', the 'East Ward' and the ‘North Ward’. No, there is no ‘South Ward’ but maybe those 427,000 new homes in the next 6 months will see Ross needing one.
Anyway, wards... a Town Councillor has just stood down in the North Ward, leaving a vacancy!
Here’s the interesting bit (is it interesting?), and not sure if this dates from medieval times but:
Unless 10 or more inmates from the North Ward write in asking for an election to take place, so that they can vote for their choice from the candidates, then NOBODY in the North Ward will get to vote at all, and what would happen instead? Well, you’ll get what you’re given - imagine your angry red face.
This disappointingly lame process, if people don't ask for an election, would work roughly like this: The existing Town Councillors would be the ones who vote and choose and you’d have no say whatsoever.
The last time that happened, the clearly best suited and most experienced candidate was blocked from the position, as the majority party seemed to collectively have a Roy Keane moment, slide-tackling that person in their tracks and voting in one of their own instead - at least this is how it was perceived by many at the time.
Of course, sadly we’d all really just like the best candidate in these situations yes?
So, hold on! IF YOU are an inmate of this ‘North Ward’ you CAN ensure an election happens so that YOU all get to pick.
You DON’T have to get what you’re given… listen up!
If you want everyone to be able to choose, all you have to do is email elections@herefordshire.gov.uk and if just 10 people do it, you'll all be able to vote.
You’ll NEED TO state your Name and Address and say something like:
"Due to the resignation of a town councillor leaving and creating a vacancy in the Ross-on-Wye North Ward, and as someone who lives in that ward, I'd like to formally request there should be an election for the vacancy".
You don't have to mention Roy Keane or being force-fed, it might confuse the admin people.
REMEMBER, only 10 people from the North Ward have to do this and it takes just seconds to do! If lots of people do it, even better?
(Not sure if you live in the North Ward? There’s a map below).
