Taxpayers in Birchington face a £2,200 bill following an election error that requires a re-run for the Birchington Parish Council (BPC).
The original ballot mistakenly elected the council as a single ward, rather than splitting it into Birchington North and Birchington South, prompting the need for a fresh vote.
The issue arose after the resignation of BPC chairman Marcel Pooke. Thanet District Council (TDC), responsible for overseeing local elections, said it had no alternative but to organise a new election to ensure the results are legally valid.
TDC leader Rick Everitt described the situation to the BBC as ‘unhappy circumstances,’ adding that the council must follow the guidance provided by officers.
The re-election will allow residents to vote again under the correct ward structure, aiming to restore proper representation while addressing the procedural error.
Update: According to a Thanet District Council spokesperson, the Returning Officer will personally cover 50% of the costs, so the Parish council will only have to pay for half the bill.
