Two councillors to be dropped from Tory ticket (From Bucks Free Press)

Two councillors to be dropped from Tory ticket

9:30am Tuesday 27th July 2010 in News By Lawrence Dunhill

TWO councillors who were at the centre of a bitter village row will be dropped from the Conservative Party ticket for the upcoming district elections.

Kathie Webber and Naomi Arnold are not among the three candidates chosen to stand in the South Bucks District Council ward of Stoke Poges next year.

The pair last week put themselves forward to stand again for the party, the Bucks Free Press understands.

Among the selected candidates is Ralph Bagge – a villager who has been a fierce critic of the two in their roles as parish and district councillors.

Cllr Arnold and Cllr Webber resigned from Stoke Poges Parish Council in May after a long-running row with the village football club split members.

The pair had previously been chairman and vice chairman. There were heated scenes at several meetings last winter after the Stoke Poges Football Club were told it had to stop using the council's pitch and changing rooms at Bells Hill Recreation Ground (see link below).

There had been a disagreement over maintenance of the changing rooms and whether youth teams were using the pitch.

Cllr Arnold was also 'dismissed' as editor of the village newsletter following her resignation.

The parish council has since granted the football club permission to use its pitch and changing rooms.

Cllr Webber, who was recently made vice-chairman of South Bucks District Council, told the Bucks Free Press: “I really don't want to discuss this – it's politics.”

Cllr Arnold said she did not want to comment, but said she “may well” stand as an Independent in May's elections.

Each Conservative district councillor faces a reselection process every four years.

Frank Bowater, the SBDC councillor for Stoke Poges, said he did not put himself forward for selection.

Trevor Egleton, a county councillor and former leader of SBDC, and Duncan Smith were selected alongside Mr Bagge to represent the Conservatives.