Rates battle set to turn into no-confidence vote

Tuesday 13th July 2010, 2:30PM BST.

Unhappy St Sampson’s ratepayers, left to right, Rolf Martin, Colin Paver, Peter Le Cheminant and Janson Bewey. Mr Martin and Mr Bewey are considering a vote of no confidence in senior constable Andrew Bichard and junior constable Rob Broome at tomorrow’s parish meeting. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0996639)

THE constables of St Sampson’s could be asked to resign at tomorrow’s parish meeting, it has been confirmed.

Residents and business owners angry about 2009 rate hikes and the way the parish has handled this year’s levy are gauging support for the idea and might ask senior constable Andrew Bichard and junior constable Rob Broome to step down.

Rolf Martin owns a livery in the parish and said his rates went up tenfold last year as a result of the change to a TRP-based billing system.

The 60-year-old said he would propose the move at tomorrow’s meeting if he felt there was enough support.