Local Elections

Tricia · 10-10-2006, 19:33

I have an interest in local politics, and was doing a bit of browsing on the Hyndburn Council website. Looking at the list of Councillors and their terms of office I noticed an anomaly, and I was wondering if anyone can explain it.

Cllr Mohamed Rahman of Netherton Ward is listed as serving a term of office which ends on 4 May 2006 (ie, LAST May). Is this a mistake, or is there some obscure reason behind it? (Sensible answers would be appreciated).

Tricia

WillowTheWhisp · 10-10-2006, 19:50

Where's Netherton Ward?

Gayle · 10-10-2006, 19:53

They obviously haven't updated it. Cllr Rahman (actually the Mayor at the moment) was up for election on May 4th, 2006 and he won so it should say that his term of office runs until 2010 (I think it's four years, it may be three - not 100% on that one).

Netherton ward is one of the Gt Harwood wards - think there's Overton and Netherton.

WillowTheWhisp · 10-10-2006, 19:54

Thanks Gayle.

harwood red · 10-10-2006, 21:34

Netherton is my ward, it's the lower end of Great Harwood and Overton is the top end.

He is also a local GP in Great Harwood

Someone · 11-10-2006, 09:43

Hyndburn Council website is not known for up to date information I am afraid.

WillowTheWhisp · 11-10-2006, 12:35

Had to give you karma for the understatement of the century there Someone.

Tricia · 11-10-2006, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

They obviously haven't updated it.

Thanks for that, Gayle. I thought you might be the one to reply. Bit odd, though, especially since he is the Mayor. One would think he would make sure that his entry on the website is up to date!

The normal term of office for a local councillor is four years.

Here in Kingston (Surbiton is in the Kingston borough like Ozzie is "in" Accrington) it is all up every four years. In Hyndburn district it seems there is a rolling programme of elections, which seems much more sensible to me.

Four years ago Kingston Council had a major swing from one party to another (from Conservative to Lib-Dem) so there was a sizeable number of first-time Councillors. It was a very steep learning curve, both for the individuals concerned and the council officers. At that time there wasn't even much on the job training, and people just had to learn as they went. Not a good idea to have so many newbies all taking over at the same time. Much better to have the seats coming up for election in turns.

shillelagh · 13-10-2006, 01:16

Its on a four year cycle here. Council Elections for 3 years and on the fourth County Council elections. Councillors serve for 4 years.

Tricia · 14-10-2006, 09:57

Yes - I noticed that (apart from his Worship

) there are three different end of term dates for the incumbent Councillors.

It's a very good idea. Also, it means that if you are stuck with an administration you don't particularly like, you can register you objections at the polls (I just mis-typed "pools" - well, sometimes it feels like that

).

It must be rather expensive, though, having to pay for an election of one kind or another every single year! And then you have the nationals to think about too. Any bets on when the next one is going to be? - National, that is...

Tricia

Neil · 14-10-2006, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricia

Surbiton is in the Kingston borough like Ozzie is "in" Accrington

Oswaldtwistle is not in Accrington. Both towns are in Hyndburn.

silvermain · 14-10-2006, 19:04

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Tricia · 15-10-2006, 07:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Oswaldtwistle is not in Accrington. Both towns are in Hyndburn.

It is in the postal district of Accrington, if not in the same borough.

Are they still in the same political constituency? And who is your MP at the moment? What (political) colour is he/she?

Tricia

Gayle · 15-10-2006, 07:59

They are in the same borough - Hyndburn Borough - but they are two very different towns.

If we're talking postal districts both Accrington and Oswaldtwistle are in BB which is Blackburn and that is completely and totally nothing to do with Hyndburn or this thread.

Yes, they come under the same MP because he represents the borough of Hyndburn - it's Greg Pope and he's Labour.

Neil · 15-10-2006, 09:27

You tell her Gayle.