THE surprise resignation of a long-serving parish councillor has led to calls for a by-election in Wheathampstead.

Putting the position to public vote will cost the village council £2,500, a significant chunk of the parish's precept, causing outrage among councillors.

Mr Neil Page, of Ash Grove, refused to discuss the reasons for his sudden departure from the parish council, after 18 years of service.

A notice was put up on the village board announcing Mr Page's resignation six weeks ago, informing villagers a by-election would be called if ten or more people requested it.

Otherwise, as is usually the case, it would be up to the council to nominate a replacement.

However, more than ten letters demanding an election were submitted, prompting St Albans District Council to instigate the electoral process.

Wheathampstead parish council chairman Keith Stammers said: "It's going to cost £2,500 even more than we spent on our village fun day it's a lot of money.

"We were legally bound to put up a notice and people wrote in saying they wanted an election."

Mr Stammers said he did not know why Mr Page had quit but said: "Neil has worked very hard. He has worked wonders for the parish.

"He was chairman of the roads and ways committee.

"More recently things were not going very well for him, there were a few hiccups, and first of all he just stood down and didn't serve on any committees.

"Then, about six weeks ago he resigned."

The chairman called on villagers to boycott the by-election to save parish finances.

"It would be sensible if we said do we really need to do this and not put up any candidates.

"It would be wonderfully money-saving for us if we didn't have the election, but it's a legal requirement.

"Previously when a councillor died and we put up a notice, people did not want an election.

"At parish level we all want the best for our village."

Parishioners may not have realised the costs an election imposed, he claimed.

"It may be that someone saw the notice and didn't understand what this would entail. It is a sad thing for our council."

St Albans District Council's electoral role department, which is responsible for and organises parish by-elections, is now accepting nominations for the role of Wheathampstead parish councillor. A spokesman said the election was currently scheduled for November 22, subject to receiving sufficient nominations.

October 10, 2001 19:18

Clair Weaver