Only one of seven Ludlow wards will see town council election

There are 15 seats on the town council but just 13 people, 11 of whom are already members, have put themselves forward for election.

In Corve, Gallows Bank, Hayton, Rockspring, and Whitcliffe wards all candidates are elected unopposed.

There are however three candidates vying for the two seats representing Bringewood ward, with incumbents Rose Jones and Jim Smithers challenged by retired college lecturer Alan Tapley.

Meanwhile in Clee View ward, both current councillors – Colin Sheward and Rob Naysmith – are stepping down and no new candidates have come forward for either seat.

Councillor Sheward is however standing in the Shropshire Council election as Labour candidate for Ludlow East.

Mark Clarke will step down in Hayton ward, which he currently represents alongside Erica Garner, who is re-elected unopposed as the sole candidate.

The three vacancies will be filled by co-option or by-elections at a later date.

Adrian Cobley also steps down in Gallows Bank ward and is replaced by Andy Boddington, current unitary councillor for Ludlow North, who will sit alongside incumbents Graeme Perks and Viv Parry, current unitary councillor for Ludlow South.

All three are also standing in next month’s Shropshire Council elections, with Councillor Parry and Councillor Boddington hoping to retain their seats for the Liberal Democrats, and Councillor Perks challenging for Councillor Boddington’s seat as an independent.

Councillor Boddington said he was “disappointed” that so few people had come forward for election to the town council.

He said: “All councils need new faces and new ideas.

“Councils and councillors need to face a degree of challenge.

“Challenge focuses the mind and drives innovation rather than the same old thing drifting on.

“I am disappointed that more people have not put their name forward.”

Among the current town councillors to be re-elected unopposed are mayor Tim Gill in Whitcliffe and deputy mayor Robin Pote in Corve.

Candidates

Here is the full list of candidates:

Bringewood (two seats): Rose Jones, Jim Smithers, Alan Tapley.

Clee View (two seats): No candidates.

Corve (two seats): Glenn Ginger, Robin Pote.

Gallows Bank (three seats): Andy Boddington, Viv Parry, Graeme Perks.

Hayton (two seats): Erica Garner.

Rockspring (two seats): Diane Lyle, Sean O’Neill.

Whitcliffe (two seats): Tim Gill, Phil Adams.