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Local elections: Yscir - where no-one wants to stand | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
It is picturesque, with stunning views of Pen y Fan and a charming rural setting, but Yscir has a unique problem. | It is picturesque, with stunning views of Pen y Fan and a charming rural setting, but Yscir has a unique problem. |
The Powys community, near Brecon, which has about 1,000 residents, is the only ward in Wales where no-one wants to stand as a councillor. | The Powys community, near Brecon, which has about 1,000 residents, is the only ward in Wales where no-one wants to stand as a councillor. |
It is set to go unrepresented on Thursday as voters across Wales go to the polls for the local elections. | It is set to go unrepresented on Thursday as voters across Wales go to the polls for the local elections. |
But why does nobody want to represent Yscir? | But why does nobody want to represent Yscir? |
Elsewhere in Wales, there are 92 uncontested seats, where councillors will be returned without any votes being cast, but Yscir currently stands alone as being unrepresented. | Elsewhere in Wales, there are 92 uncontested seats, where councillors will be returned without any votes being cast, but Yscir currently stands alone as being unrepresented. |
Incumbent Gillian Thomas, one of several independent councillors in Powys, is retiring and, so far, no-one wants to replace her. | Incumbent Gillian Thomas, one of several independent councillors in Powys, is retiring and, so far, no-one wants to replace her. |
And the impending void is news to some people. | And the impending void is news to some people. |
Retired couple Tess and Brian Birtles, of Aberyscir, had not heard their ward would be left without a voice. | Retired couple Tess and Brian Birtles, of Aberyscir, had not heard their ward would be left without a voice. |
Mr Birtles, a former communications firm boss, said he was disappointed, adding: "Powys could have done more to encourage people to stand in the ward, because ultimately it will mean that we're not represented at the local government." | Mr Birtles, a former communications firm boss, said he was disappointed, adding: "Powys could have done more to encourage people to stand in the ward, because ultimately it will mean that we're not represented at the local government." |
Still, he does not want the job himself. | Still, he does not want the job himself. |
"I'd find it immensely frustrating," he said, "because it doesn't seem very much is done by the councils these days apart from cutting services and reducing costs." | "I'd find it immensely frustrating," he said, "because it doesn't seem very much is done by the councils these days apart from cutting services and reducing costs." |
"It's quite sad", Mrs Birtles added, speculating people might not want to stand "because we're not suffering the austerity measures that some areas are experiencing" with many of the residents retirees. | "It's quite sad", Mrs Birtles added, speculating people might not want to stand "because we're not suffering the austerity measures that some areas are experiencing" with many of the residents retirees. |
People, in Yscir, she said, were "living the good life". | People, in Yscir, she said, were "living the good life". |
But that is not to say they all think it is rosy in the garden. | But that is not to say they all think it is rosy in the garden. |
There have been complaints about changes to waste services, while the decision to close Welsh-medium stream at Brecon High School has also sparked debate. | There have been complaints about changes to waste services, while the decision to close Welsh-medium stream at Brecon High School has also sparked debate. |
Why is Gillian Thomas retiring? | Why is Gillian Thomas retiring? |
Ms Thomas, 79, said it was "not good for democracy" no-one had put their name forward. | Ms Thomas, 79, said it was "not good for democracy" no-one had put their name forward. |
"When I won the last election I said that would be my last term," she said. "My age is getting on, and I want to do things I want to do." | "When I won the last election I said that would be my last term," she said. "My age is getting on, and I want to do things I want to do." |
Ms Thomas, who had previously had a farm in the ward before moving to Brecon, said she had found the job "very rewarding". | Ms Thomas, who had previously had a farm in the ward before moving to Brecon, said she had found the job "very rewarding". |
"When my husband died very suddenly at an early age, it really saved me that I had an outside interest," she said. | "When my husband died very suddenly at an early age, it really saved me that I had an outside interest," she said. |
So, what is putting people off taking up the cudgels in Ms Thomas' absence? | So, what is putting people off taking up the cudgels in Ms Thomas' absence? |
"I think it's quite big shoes to fill," said Valerie Davies, who has lived with her husband, Peter, in Aberyscir for eight years. | "I think it's quite big shoes to fill," said Valerie Davies, who has lived with her husband, Peter, in Aberyscir for eight years. |
She said the lack of a willing replacement was a "sad reflection" on the community, but also questioned who would want to join a club "being continually attacked by the rest of the populace". | She said the lack of a willing replacement was a "sad reflection" on the community, but also questioned who would want to join a club "being continually attacked by the rest of the populace". |
'A bit petty' | 'A bit petty' |
Mr Davies - 35-year army veteran who, like his wife, is now retired - said most people's dealings with the council concerned planning. | Mr Davies - 35-year army veteran who, like his wife, is now retired - said most people's dealings with the council concerned planning. |
"It wasn't advertised or publicised that nobody was standing," he added. | "It wasn't advertised or publicised that nobody was standing," he added. |
He said he might consider it, but added: "The dealings I've had with parish councils over the years, it always ends up looking a bit petty." | He said he might consider it, but added: "The dealings I've had with parish councils over the years, it always ends up looking a bit petty." |
What about younger residents? | What about younger residents? |
Eliot Lawrence, 32, of nearby Cradoc, was also unaware of the vacancy. | Eliot Lawrence, 32, of nearby Cradoc, was also unaware of the vacancy. |
"It's not ideal, really," he said. "I've not got any major, pressing concerns, but if something did happen and there's no-one to fight for it, it would be an issue then." | "It's not ideal, really," he said. "I've not got any major, pressing concerns, but if something did happen and there's no-one to fight for it, it would be an issue then." |
But he admitted he would not consider battling for the seat, adding: "It's not something that interests me really." | But he admitted he would not consider battling for the seat, adding: "It's not something that interests me really." |
Colin Badhan, 76, who runs a B&B in Battle, also did not fancy the job. | Colin Badhan, 76, who runs a B&B in Battle, also did not fancy the job. |
"When I get the local magazine pushed through the door it all seems pretty petty stuff, to me anyway," he added. | "When I get the local magazine pushed through the door it all seems pretty petty stuff, to me anyway," he added. |
While fellow Battle resident Jennifer Puttick was "shocked" no-one was standing, she could understand why. | While fellow Battle resident Jennifer Puttick was "shocked" no-one was standing, she could understand why. |
"Maybe a lot of people are wising up. There's not a lot you can do now," she said. "There's rules and regulations already set in place." | "Maybe a lot of people are wising up. There's not a lot you can do now," she said. "There's rules and regulations already set in place." |
But residents' reasons for not throwing their hats into the ring seem no more exotic than those you might find across Wales. | But residents' reasons for not throwing their hats into the ring seem no more exotic than those you might find across Wales. |
So, it is just... | So, it is just... |
Something about Powys? | Something about Powys? |
There are 92 uncontested wards across Wales this year - where not enough people have been nominated to trigger an election and where those nominated are elected by default. | There are 92 uncontested wards across Wales this year - where not enough people have been nominated to trigger an election and where those nominated are elected by default. |
And Powys also has the second largest number of these - 16 - behind Gwynedd's 21. | And Powys also has the second largest number of these - 16 - behind Gwynedd's 21. |
A rural county, Powys' HQ is situated 25 miles (40km) from Aberyscir in Llandrindod Wells. | A rural county, Powys' HQ is situated 25 miles (40km) from Aberyscir in Llandrindod Wells. |
One senior political figure at the authority said it meets during the day and not the evening, due to distances members have to travel, and this reduces the candidate pool. | One senior political figure at the authority said it meets during the day and not the evening, due to distances members have to travel, and this reduces the candidate pool. |
'Modernise their approach' | 'Modernise their approach' |
Jessica Blair of Electoral Reform Society Cymru said: "Rural areas do see higher rates of uncontested seats and there are likely numerous factors for this, such as geography and smaller population size." | Jessica Blair of Electoral Reform Society Cymru said: "Rural areas do see higher rates of uncontested seats and there are likely numerous factors for this, such as geography and smaller population size." |
But she pointed out Scotland, with fewer councillors over a larger geographical area, had only three uncontested seats. She argued it was an indicator of the "health of local democracy and a failure of councils to modernise their approach to working in rural areas". | But she pointed out Scotland, with fewer councillors over a larger geographical area, had only three uncontested seats. She argued it was an indicator of the "health of local democracy and a failure of councils to modernise their approach to working in rural areas". |
Steve Thomas, chief executive of the Welsh Local Government Association, said he was unsurprised there were uncontested seats in rural areas and distances were "an issue". | Steve Thomas, chief executive of the Welsh Local Government Association, said he was unsurprised there were uncontested seats in rural areas and distances were "an issue". |
But he said the lack of political organisations had an impact - with the prevalence of independent candidates "who rely solely on their own resources" proving a differentiating factor from some other elections in other parts of Wales. | But he said the lack of political organisations had an impact - with the prevalence of independent candidates "who rely solely on their own resources" proving a differentiating factor from some other elections in other parts of Wales. |
For its part, Powys said timings for meetings would be reviewed after the elections, with views sought from councillors. | For its part, Powys said timings for meetings would be reviewed after the elections, with views sought from councillors. |
To fill the Yscir post, Powys will need to re-open the nominations and hold a separate election later in 2017. | To fill the Yscir post, Powys will need to re-open the nominations and hold a separate election later in 2017. |
In the meantime, the little ward, with its assortment of opinions, concerns, frustrations and voices, will remain silent in the council chamber. | In the meantime, the little ward, with its assortment of opinions, concerns, frustrations and voices, will remain silent in the council chamber. |
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