Published: December 11, 2012
Independent candidate to run in Highbridge and Burnham by-election

An independent candidate is to stand in next month's by-election in the Highbridge and Burnham Marine ward.

As reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com here, Lib Dem Joe Leach stepped down last week, prompting a district council by-election on January 24th.

The independent group on Sedgemoor District Council has selected Sally Williams, pictured, as its candidate.

Group leader Cllr Chris Williams, who is Sally's husband, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "As we already hold two of the three district seats in the ward and can field an active and well-known candidate, we feel we can challenge the more established political groups and give local council tax payers a less overtly political alternative."

Sally, 67, says: "I care a lot of about the gradual decline of Highbridge year on year and the need to build links between those who have only recently arrived in the ward and established residents."

She is actively involved with several local groups, including Highbridge U3A, Highbridge St John's Parent and Toddler Group, The Friends of The Princess Theatre and the Burnham Hospital League of Friends.

"Independents only get elected on their merits - not on a party bandwagon. They never have a party whip imposed, but vote entirely to reflect the local needs of the ward, as requested by residents. They pay for their own campaign funding individually and cannot be held to ransom to deliver hidden agendas."

Nominations for January's by-election are open until mid-day on December 27th. Other candidates standing are Liberal Democrat Helen Groves and Labour's Ricky Holcombe.