THE candidates standing for a by-election to secure a seat on BCP Council have been confirmed.

Residents in the East Cliff and Springbourne ward will go the polls on Thursday, June 29.

The by-election will take place just 56 days after a full set of elections across the local authority.

The vote is required following the announcement that a Labour Party councillor had resigned from their seat.

Martin Bedford said he had taken the “difficult decision” to stand down due to ongoing health issues.

Mr Bedford was elected on Friday, May 5, after securing the most votes in the three-seat ward.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 10, he said: “I regret that I have had to take the difficult decision to stand down as councillor due to ongoing health issues.

“Making this decision has been very difficult with much consideration of letting down the local electorate and my colleagues; however, I have had to make this decision because of family commitments and health implications.

“I want to thank every single person who voted for me last week and apologise as this news will be a disappointment to many of you.”

The East Cliff and Springbourne ward is currently represented by Anne Filer (Conservative) and Anne-Marie Moriarty (Labour).

BCP Council confirmed on Monday, June 5, that four valid nominations had been received for the by-election.

The candidates are as follows:

  • Sara Louise Armstrong – Green Party
  • David Anthony Kelsey – The Conservative Party Candidate
  • Paul Radcliffe – Liberal Democrat
  • Declan Stones – Labour Party