A short while ago, and following the requisite number of requests from the public, the Town Council were forced to call an election to fill the seat left vacant by the recent passing of John Izod.
The seat could have been filled by co-option, with the Council interviewing the candidates and choosing the one they thought best suited to the job - this was the case after the resignation of Sam Souster last year. The cost to the Council (and therefore to Rye ratepayers) of co-option is virtually nil. The cost of an election, however, is estimated to be £3/4,000 or possibly more if polling cards are printed and issued to all registered to vote.
At the moment, however, we understand that polling cards will not be issued and it is going to be up to the candidates to make themselves and the basis on which they wish to be elected, known.
The field is as follows:
Sam Barnes, Cinque Ports Street - Independent
Marie Ann Breeds, The Strand - Independent
Matt Follett, Fairmeadow - Independent for Rye
Gerard Reilly, Udimore Road - Labour Party
So far, little is known about most of the candidates or their reason for standing, although Marie Ann Breeds clearly has family form in local politics and Gerard Reilly doubtless hopes to reduce the socialist deficit in the council chamber.
However, over the next two weeks Rye News will put this right and we will be talking to those candidates who are prepared to talk to us (which, we would hope, will be all of them). If you, our readers, have any questions for them, please put them in the comments box below this article or email info@ryenews.org.uk.
Photo: Rye News library
