AHEAD of parish, town and district council elections taking place across the Cotswolds on Thursday, May 2, several towns and villages are already announcing councillors who have been elected unopposed.

All 13 places on Fairford Town Council have been filled uncontested, so there will be no election for town councillors on May 2, although the district councillors are still to be elected.

The Fairford Town Councillors are Stephen Boulton, Janet Bowen, Andrew Doherty, Colin Foxall, Richard Harrison, Jon Hill, Amanda Jefferies, Jack Morgan, John Morgan, James Nicholls, Chris Roberts, Jennifer Sanford and Derek Thornhill.

Fairford Town councillor Chris Roberts said: "We would like to have seen an election. People have the right to put themselves forward to change things. I would like to see more people come forward. People like to moan but they don't do anything."

In Cirencester Liberal Democrat councillors Sarah Orr, Claire Bloomer, Rebecca Halifax, Sam Ralston, Nigel Robbins, Joe Harris and Roly Hughes have all been elected unopposed, leaving four of the wards still to be contested on May 2 where two or more candidates were nominated.

Cllr Sarah Orr, who is a first-time councillor for New Mills Ward and a hairdresser at Limes in Cirencester, said: “One of my clients pushed me in the direction of being a town councillor, she said I’d be really good at it and that the council needed more woman on board.

“I tried to ignore it but she’d planted the seed. I’m feeling very pleased with myself as this was something way out of my comfort zone, and a tad bit proud.”

In Chedworth four parish councillors returned unopposed for the 2019 election. Tony Kingsley joins David Broad, Ros Jess and George Broad.

The parish council is now looking for three volunteers to bring the council back to the full complement of seven members.

One town, however, that is bucking the trend is Tetbury, with 22 candidates for 15 seats on the town council.

Deputy Mayor Kevin Painter believes that the launch of an initiative called True to Tetbury, which is made up of a diverse group of residents committed to representing the community as independent councillors not affiliated with any political party, has managed to inspire new candidates to come forward.

He said: "The idea originally came from my good friend councillor and former mayor John Durnley, and the concept came from believe it or not Brian May and his Common Decency Campaign for MPs.

"The True to Tetbury Initiative was formed to give people the inspiration and in many cases support to come forward and wow has it worked.

"Many of us are turned off by the constant political bickering and inter-party squabbling which fuels the real enemy apathy."

"The Council needs more new freethinkers and passion."

Visit cotswold.gov.uk to see details of all uncontested elections and Statements of Persons nominated.

How did the True to Tetbury initiatives start and how did you get so many independent councillors to come forward bucking the trend of other parishes by having an election?

Council needs more new freethinkers and passion.

This is why the true to Tetbury Initiative was formed to give people the inspiration and in many cases support to come forward and WOW has it worked. So this year there is a real chance for change. A few people have said to me I may have shot myself in the foot by the initiating this.

The idea originally came from my good friend councillor and former mayor John Durnley, and the concept came from believe it or not Brian May and his common decency campaign for MPs.

So what is the True to Tetbury Initative all about? Well, it’s not a political party. It’s a plan to give us our Voice back Its diverse group of residents committed to representing the community as Totally independent Councillors. By being independent our priorities will always lie with the welfare of our town we will not only work for you but with you as well. Being able to work from the grassroots level upwards, using our foundations and common sense. We will not make irresponsible promises in the shape of a manifesto as many of us see today’s manifesto as tomorrow’s broken promises we do however have the ideas and wishes and common sense of you who know what the town needs and wants.As many of us are turned off by the constant political bickering and inter-party squabbling which fuels the real enemy apathy. This is why change is needed.

Because I have the privilege of writing the weekly Tetbury talk column and stories for the local newspaper this gives me the opportunity to meet the many people and witness the positive and amazing things the people of our town do and achieve, so I know the passion is here for our Town it was just a question of inspiring people to come forward, this concept would work in other towns as well, and already people have asked for assistance with this.

A few people have said I may have shot myself in the foot by getting so many independent people to come forward but then surely that’s what being a Councillor is about this to listen to people and their needs Free Choice!

Even the election system is confusing to some people onTetbury Town Council are 15 spaces and 22 candidates you can vote for as few or as many as you feel would best represent yourself so in effect you are picking your own team you think will complement and bring different things to the table to represent your town, is also confusing that the District Council elections on the same day thiscan be confusing as people think they cannot vote for the same person twice for Town and District again pick the person you feel will represent the town and get action.

Some people have asked how can you be independent and part of the group. While this is not a group it is a team, and the team is made up of individuals who all complement each other’s skills,a team that will work with others who ever is picked. History proves this work look at the classic Manchester United team with George Best and Bobby Charlton both individuals but worked as a team.

The first well attended meeting of the True to Tetbury initiative managed to inspire ten potential candidates that will be completely independent for the forthcoming Town Council, and District Council elections. As many people are turned off by the constant political bickering and inter-party squabbling. Although the real enemy of democracy is arrogance and apathy! Even though many many concerns were raised and discussed the meeting did exactly what it set out to achieve and that was to look forward in a positive way and most importantly give hope.

So what is our True to Tetbury campaign all about? Well, it’s not a political party. It’s a plan to give us our collective Voice back Its diverse group of residents committed to representing the community as independent Councillors. Another meeting has been set for February 26th at the Priory Inn And all are welcome as the more people who come on board, the more we will achieve, A future in which our voice will truly be heard.