By-Election to be held for Lechlade, Kempsford and Fairford South District Council seat

The notice of a vacancy on the District Council was published on 8 November in accordance with national regulations meaning the seat is now vacant.

The formal notice for the By-Election has been issued today, with the vote scheduled to take place on Thursday 14 December 2023. Full information of the schedule of the by-election will be posted on the Council website at cotswold.gov.uk/elections.

The Council is now calling for residents in the area to ensure they are registered to vote so that they can take part in the By-Election. This includes anyone looking to register as a new postal voter or use a proxy vote. Residents will now need to provide identification as part of the postal vote registration process, following new laws introduced by the Government this year. Existing registered postal voters are not affected.

To take part in the election, anyone aged 18 or over must be registered to vote in the area they live in. Some people eligible to vote may not be registered and therefore will not be able to cast a vote. This may be because they have recently moved or are voting for the first time. 

All residents voting in-person at a polling station will need to show ID in line with the new laws brought in at the start of the year. Information on the ID required is available on the Council website at cotswold.gov.uk/voterID.

Residents who aren't registered will have until Tuesday 28 November to register and are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. To register you should visit the Government website at gov.uk/register-to-vote or contact Cotswold District Council if unable to register online. 

New postal voters will need to register by 5pm on Wednesday 29 November and those wishing to use a proxy vote by 5pm on Wednesday 6 December. 

To register for a postal vote residents should visit the Government website at gov.uk/apply-postal-vote or contact Cotswold District Council to request a paper form.

Poll cards will be sent to all individuals registered to vote ahead of the election which will contain information on polling stations and the ID they are required to bring.

Residents will be able to put themselves forward as candidates in the election and will need to submit a nomination paper to the Returning Officer at Cotswold District Council by 4pm on Friday 17 November 2023. Nomination papers will be made available on the Council website where details of office opening times are also given.

Robert Weaver, Returning Officer for Cotswold District Council, said; “Taking part in local democracy is important and I would encourage all residents of the Lechlade, Kempsford and Fairford South ward to register to vote and take part in the By-Election.

“I would also recommend people make sure they get registered, apply for a postal or proxy vote as soon as possible so they don't miss out on their chance to vote. 

“Also residents need to check they have the correct ID so that they can vote in-person or register for postal or proxy votes.”