Sandbach Mayor, Councillor Ann Nevitt, has called an "emergency meeting" tonight (Monday) after it was revealed there has been an "administrative error" for the paperwork for the last town councillor elected to Sandbach Town Council. 

Colin Storey, the Labour Party candidate, was elected to Sandbach Town Council last month (September) as revealed here

But it's been revealed that "an unfortunate error" was made and the paperwork that should have made Colin Storey a councillor after the Elworth by-election was not completed in time. 

A statement released today said: "Cheshire East Council was recently informed that Sandbach town councillor Storey's declaration of acceptance of office was not delivered to the town council in accordance with the deadline imposed by legislation.  

Sandbach Mayor, Cllr Ann Nevitt, has called an emergency meeting tonight. (Photo: Nub News)

 "In these circumstances, the office of the councillor in question became vacant. A notice of casual vacancy will now need to be published and, subject to the required requests being received, a by-election will take place, which will be administered by the Returning Officer, if contested." 

Sandbach Deputy Mayor, Councillor John Arnold said: "I'm sure Colin will want to say something on this matter himself but I'd like to clarify that the error was not made by Colin and to be best of my knowledge he remains very keen to serve the people of Sandbach as a councillor. 

"However the fact remains that, formally, we have a vacancy on Sandbach town council. The mayor has called an emergency council meeting where the issue will be addressed. 

"If no by-election is called then the council can co-opt to fill the position and it is my opinion that we should co-opt Colin since that was clearly the democratic result of the election that just took place.  

"If yet another by-election is called it would AGAIN cost the town £12,000+ of taxpayer's money. We have already spent £24,000 on the last two by-elections. I do not believe it would be a good use of taxpayer's money to re-run the Elworth by election so soon after the last one." 

Nub News has reached out to Cllr Storey for a comment. He said after being elected last month: "Following my election for Sandbach Town Council, Elworth ward on Thursday 22nd Aug. I would like to take this opportunity to firstly, thank all who voted for me, and those who showed a massive amount of support throughout my campaign. It was a pleasure to meet the many residents I spoke to on the doorsteps, and to discuss many issues and concerns you may have. 

"Secondly, I promise to be hardworking, proactive and visible in the community to deliver my promises made during my campaign, while improving our wonderful community." 

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