Three candidates are standing in tomorrow’s (Thursday) by-election for Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council (NCCC) — after the previously successful candidate felt it was not right to take office.
There has been a vacancy since the 5th May election despite Bev Hastings gaining a place through an uncontested election.
Minutes of meetings show Mrs Hastings has not attended any meeting of the community council since the elections earlier this year.
However Mrs Hastings, wife of Isle of Wight Conservatives leader Cllr Steve Hastings, did not sign the papers to officially take her role on the council.
Felt it was wrong to take the seat unopposed
Mrs Hastings did not want to comment, but speaking on behalf Cllr Hastings said she felt it was wrong to take the seat unopposed, having lost the Isle of Wight Council election for the Carisbrooke and Gunville seat.
Those running for the seat in the Carisbrooke and Gunville Ward are:
- Matt Ambrosini — Carisbrooke Resident, Championing The Local Community
- Verity Bird – Independent
- Stephen Rushbrook – Green Party
All stood in IWC election
All councillors unsuccessfully stood in the elections for the Isle of Wight Council.
Mr Ambrosini, the then Conservative candidate, and Mr Rushbrook stood in Newport Central — where Cllr Julie Jones-Evans retained her seat — gaining 134 and 102 votes respectively.
Ms Bird stood in Carisbrooke and Gunville, as the Labour candidate, and received 214 votes, coming third behind Mrs Hastings (who received 348 votes) and newly elected green candidate Cllr Joe Lever, with 387 votes.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
