A council election at Backwell but co-option at Nailsea

There will be an election in Backwell on Thursday, September 8, to fill the vacancy created by the death of North Somerset councillor Tom Collison.

Mr Collinson, of Dark Lane, died suddenly on Wednesday, June 29, of a heart attack.

He was 81 years of age.

Mr Collinson used his planning expertise as an independent councillor to defend the village from developments and had served on both the parish and latterly district council.

Fellow independent councillor Karen Barclay said he leaves 'big boots' to fill.

Mrs Barclay said: "Tom was totally committed to helping his constituents, and worked tirelessly in defending Backwell's beautiful green fields against the threat of unwanted large-scale development.

"He had a great victory over what has become known as 'the battle of Farleigh Field's'.

"Backwell was very fortunate to have had Tom Collinson."

Polling stations will be open from 7am-10pm at Backwell Parish Hall, Felton Village Hall, Barrow Gurney Village Hall, Chelvey Pumping Station and Flax Bourton Village Hall.

The deadline for candidates to declare they are standing is noon on Thursday, August 11.

A vacancy on Nailsea Town Council will be filled by co-option.

At the May elections Nailsea failed to attract its full quota of 20 people wanting to be town councillors and co-opted two new councillors – a belly-dancing solicitor and a former chairman with an MBE.

Saeeda Jameel and Neil Middleton were elected by councillors to serve for the next four years last month.

But then a further vacancy was declared when Anne Kemp resigned shortly after re-election.

She represented the West End Ward.

For an election to be called at least 10 electors from this ward had to send a written request to the returning officer at Weston Town Hall.

As this didn't happen the town council will co-opt on Wednesday, September 28.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday, September 16.