A CITY councillor has criticised an “unnecessary” parish by-election in Warndon which has cost around £10,000 – five months before it is due to hold another election.

Councillor Stephen Hodgson, who represents Warndon Parish North, said Warndon Parish Council’s decision to hold a by-election following a resignation in October was not the best use of money.

The by-election was held last Thursday (December 13) and the £10,000 cost even comes after a decision to not send out poll cards to save money.

Cllr Hodgson said: “I’m not saying that having an election is a bad thing but my issue with this by-election is spending £10,000 on it. That is £10,000 that should have spent on other things in Warndon.

“Parish councils are elected every four years and that means the next election is in May.

“That means the cost of the new parish councillor attending meetings is about £2,000 a meeting.

“If the by-election was a year or two into the four year cycle then I could understand and it would be entirely appropriate but this by-election just seemed unnecessary and at an unnecessary cost.”

Under electoral law, if the resignation of Councillor Les Morris had been made in November – rather than in October – a by-election would not have been necessary because they are not held if a seat becomes available within six months of the next election.

By-elections, as was the case in Warndon Parish North, can be held if ten residents state they want it to be held.

Holding the election now means winner Andrew Cross will have to contest his seat again at another election in five months’ time in May.

Cllr Hodgson said a new parish councillor could have been co-opted – voted in by the existing members of the council – before elections are held in May.

The cost of the election includes printing and sending out postal votes, room hire and the transfer and counting of the votes in the Guildhall.

Nick Fielden, chairman of Warndon Parish Council, declined to comment.