By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
A by-election in Mansfield will be going ahead as planned this week despite the district council originally saying the poll had been postponed.
Mansfield District Council said last Thursday (September 8) that the Oak Tree by-election, called following the death of Councillor Vaughan Hopewell, had been ‘paused’ due to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
The election was scheduled to take place this coming Thursday (September 15) with five candidates confirmed for the poll.
Now the Labour-controlled authority has confirmed the election is back on after the Electoral Commission offered guidance on by-elections during the period of mourning.
A spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The by-election is now back on as planned for Thursday, September 15, following updated guidance from the Electoral Commission.”
In a post on Facebook, which has now been updated, the authority initially said: “The by-election for Oak Tree ward … has been paused.”
All registered voters in the ward will be able to cast their votes between 7am and 10pm at the Community Room, in Oak Tree Leisure Centre.
The five candidates are Gemma Canlin, of the Mansfield Independents, Labour’s Paul Henshaw, Neil Smith of the Conservative Party, Julie Tasker of Freedom Alliance, and Milo Tooley-Okonkwo of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.
Adam Hill, the returning officer for Mansfield, said: “This Mansfield District Council by-election is being held following the death of Councillor Hopewell who was elected to represent the ward in May 2011.”
Tributes poured in for the late councillor after his death was confirmed in June.
The authority revealed Cllr Hopewell, who represented the Mansfield Independents, died suddenly of a suspected heart attack while out with his family on June 18.
Cllr Mick Barton, the group’s leader, paid tribute to his colleague and described him as a “valued member” of the group.
He said: “He was passionate about his community and cared for his constituents.
“I’ve known Vaughan for more than 20 years and he was a valued member of our group, he always put other people first and loved his family dearly.”
Cllr Hopewell worked for the Jigsaw Support Scheme, a Mansfield charity providing services for vulnerable people.
Prior to his death, he was nominated for an award out of 250 supporters for the charity and, during his work with the organisation, produced a song to raise money – meaning he was known by many as the “singing councillor”.
Andy Abrahams, Mansfield’s Labour mayor, said: “Vaughan was a community champion dedicated to being a ward councillor and supporting local people.
“He was immensely proud to serve his community and did his utmost to help people. He’ll be sorely missed by the council.”
The current political balance at Mansfield District Council is 13 Mansfield Independents, two Conservatives, seven independents and 13 Labour, alongside Labour mayor Andy Abrahams and the current vacancy.
