County Council Election June 4th 2009

Residents of Semilong Northampton have been out to vote, in an election which was probably the most open and up for change that we have seen in recent years. This was due primarily to the much publiscised and talked about financial scandals of Westminister and County Hall.

At a time when the whole country are facing hardship and difficult choices, national and local government has been rocked by fraudulent and frivolent expense claims by MP's at the national level, and by Councillors of County Hall throwing £32 MILLION of council tax payers money down the drain at the local level.

So the election had great potential to be almost trench warfare from the start.

However, the election was one which saw a turnout figure of only 26.65%, It appears rather than voting for a candidate of choice, most of the electorate in Semilong Northampton, (73.35%) simply did not go out and vote. That is 5384 people that chose not to support any of the candidates.

In addition, due to our `first past the post` voting system, despite the combined number of people voting against the victor being higher at 1196, the election was won by Tony Clarke with 760 votes. That equates to a very small 10.35% of the total electorate who supported him, or just 38.9% of those who actually voted who supported Tony Clarke.

However SEMILONG.ORG congratulates Mr Clarke and will see what changes he makes for the good of the people of Semilong Northampton.

As promised before the vote, Mr Clarke can count on SEMILONG.ORG's support.

Polling Station 2009

For the first time, the Alliston Gardens Youth & Community Centre was the venue for the polling station in the County Council and European Elections.

SEMILONG.ORG welcomes making polling stations more local in this way and look forward to see it continuing.

What did you think to it? Would you prefer the polling station at the Castle School or at the Alliston Gardens Youth & Community Centre? Email in and let us know what you think.

Northamptonshire County Council
The 2009 Election Result

• 2009 Total Votes Cast: 1956
• 2009 Majority: 320
• 2009 Turnout (%): 26.65
• 2009 Electors: 7340

How do these figures compare with 2005?

Who Were The Choices?

1. Tony Clarke (Independent)
   Former Labour Party and also currently the Independent representative for Castle Ward (which Semilong is part of) on the Northampton Borough Council.
   Active representative for Semilong, challenging the Liberal Democrat Northampton Borough Council leadership with no-nonsense sensible arguments whilst also advising residents. A keen opponent of widespread residential property redevelopment in Semilong.
2. Roger Conroy (Liberal Democrats)
   Member of the same political party which is currently running Northampton Borough Council.
3. Julie Hawkins (Green Party)
4. Ian McCann (Conservative Party)
   Member of the Conservative Party which is currently running Northamptonshire County Council.
5. Tess Scott (Labour Party)
   Also currently the Labour Party representative for Castle Ward (which Semilong is part of) on the Northampton Borough Council.

County Council Pay

Basic allowance £7,086
Other key allowances (paid in addition to basic allowance)
Leader of council £34,408
Deputy leader £21,645
Cabinet members £20,645
Chairman of council £17,204
Leader of main opposition £17,204
Leader of minor opposition £8,602

Northampton Borough Council Pay

Basic allowance £6,464
Other key allowances (which include basic allowance)
Leader of council £22,927
Deputy leader £16,342
Cabinet members £15,519
Leader of main opposition £12,226
Leader of minor opposition £9,757

Why Include Both?

Many of our representatives are elected to both the Northamptonshire County Council and the Northampton Borough Council. This therefore, enables them to claim both lots of earnings..and of course there are the allowances too. Whether it is right for a representative to sit on both the Northampton Borough Council and the Northamptonshire County Council at the same time is debatable

Other Earnings

Their 'pay' also increases for other boards they sit on. For example, if they also sit on the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation Board (WNDC) they earn an additional £12,000

Unfair Pay & Allowances?

Northamptonshire County Council froze their pay last year (2008) whilst Northampton Borough Council voted to increase their pay AND they can still claim individual allowances despite an independent report recommending they abolish the system of allowances.