Kingsbrook Parish Council to 'co-opt' councillors after elections are cancelled due to Coronavirus

Aylesbury's newish Parish Council will elect councillors without elections, the Bucks Herald has learned.
Kingsbrook Parish Council was formally established in January, with elections due to be held this month.Kingsbrook Parish Council was formally established in January, with elections due to be held this month.
Kingsbrook Parish Council was formally established in January, with elections due to be held this month.

Instead, the Buckinghamshire Council has allowed Kingsbrook parish to 'co-opt' councillors so important decisions can begin to be taken.

Kingsbrook Parish Council was formally established in January, with elections due to be held this month.

However, with elections now delayed until May 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, a process for co-opting local councillors is being used so important decisions can start to be taken on behalf of its growing community.

Local residents are now invited to apply for the vacancies.

Applicants must be a British citizen, eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union and be over 18 years old.

Applicants must also be either a local elector, or have lived or worked in the Parish area, or within three miles of the Parish boundary, for the last 12 months.

Further details together with an application form are available on the Buckinghamshire Council website by clicking here.Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, Gareth Williams said: "The new Parish Council is looking for local people who have an interest in the Kingsbrook area and the way should develop going forward."

"He added, "Parish councillors make a huge contribution to shaping and improving their local communities and I would encourage anyone who is interested to apply."

Four Buckinghamshire Council councillors have been appointed as temporary Kingsbrook Parish councillors so that the first meeting of the Council can legally take place on 11 June. This will be a virtual meeting starting at 7pm and will include the formal appointment of those co-opted councillors selected.

Completed applications should be sent to Craig Saunders, Buckinghamshire Council's Democratic Manager and Interim Clerk to Kingsbrook Parish Council by Wednesday 3 June 2020. Forms can be send by e-mail to [email protected] or by post to The Gateway offices, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP19 8FF.