By-election Date Confirmed Following Resignation of Three Borough Councillors

Published on: 15 Mar, 2013
Updated on: 16 Mar, 2013

A spokesperson for Guildford Borough Council has confirmed (March 16) that by-elections will be held on Thursday, May 2, for three vacant seats in the wards of Ash South and Tongham, Ash Wharf and Stoughton.

This follows the resignation of three Guildford Borough Councillors reported yesterday.

Potential candidates who are interested in standing for this role are invited to contact Electoral Services at Guildford Borough Council on 01483 444115.

Full details of how to register to vote are available on our website at www.guildford.gov.uk/elections

Three Borough Councillors Resign (report published yesterday)

In an email sent today (Thursday, March 14) to all Guildford Borough Councillors it was announced that three councillors have formally resigned. The three councillors are:

• Councillor Wendy May (Lib Dem, Stoughton)
• Councillor John Randall (Con, Ash Wharf)
• Councillor Doug Richards (Con, Ash South and Tongham)

Cllr Wendy May

Cllr May wrote to her constituents: “It is with mixed emotions of sadness and excitement that I would like to let you know that I am standing down from my position as your Councillor in Stoughton at Guildford Borough Council.

“The decision has not been one that was taken lightly or quickly and it is because my family and I will be moving to Canada in the next few months to be closer to my Canadian family.  After being in the UK since 1995 we feel that now is the right time to start a new chapter and for me to introduce my husband and kids to the cold Canadian winters which they have never experienced!

Cllr John Randall

“Whilst we are very excited at our forthcoming move, it will be very hard to leave friends, family and all of you behind!

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support and communications since 2007 when I was first elected.  It hasn’t always been easy but I hope that you have felt well represented by myself and my colleagues in Stoughton and that you will continue to get in touch with them when you have issues that need resolving.  Things may not always happen fast but we do try our hardest to make sure things get done for the benefit of the whole ward.”

Cllr Doug Richards

Speaking as a spokesman for the Conservative Group at GBC, Cllr Matt Furniss said: Cllr John Randall has resigned because his work commitments did not, he felt, allow him to give enough time to council duties. Cllr Doug Richards has simply moved out of Guildford Borough.

It is understood that it is likely three by-elections will be held on May 2 2013,  the day of the Surrey County Council elections.

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