The resignation of Pat West as Conservative Hampshire County Councillor for Andover West has forced a costly by-election to be undertaken, along with the local Borough Council and General Elections on 7th May 2015.
Mrs West resigned in March 2015, citing ‘personal and private reasons’ for stepping down. A councillor for twenty years along with a stint as Mayor in 2003, Mrs West is a well-known and loved local figure.
An unofficial source told Andover & Villages that Mrs West was unhappy at being overlooked for a cabinet position by Leader of Hampshire County Council, Roy Perry, and that this contributed to why she had resigned. It is also understood that Mrs West has been offered a position in UKIP, although she did tell Andover & Villages earlier this year that she had no intention of joining the UKIP party.
TVBC will be running the election on behalf of Hampshire County Council and the final cost will not be known until after the election is complete. The Andover Town Council by-election in May 2013 cost a reported £15,000.
Nomination papers for the election must be completed and delivered to TVBC by Thursday 9th April 2015.
Pictured – Pat West with Cllr Iris Andersen at The Pride of Andover Awards 2014
