Check you are registered to have your say in May

Those who need to seek re-election include Council Leader Barry Wood and finance councillor Tony Illot

People wanting a say on the direction local politics should take get a chance to make their views known when the local elections are held in May.   But only those who are registered to vote will be able to influence the result – and there’s only a couple of week’s left for those who aren’t registered to get their names added.

A third of the seats on Cherwell District Council will be up for election on Thursday May 5.   Amongst those who must seek re-election are Council Leader Barry Wood and Tony Illot, who oversees council finances and budgets.

The deadline for being registered to vote is at the end of Thursday April 14.

Those who might need to register include anyone who has moved home since they last registered to vote, anyone who has changed their name, and those who have recently turned 18.

Yvonne Rees, Returning Officer, said: “District councillors are in charge of vital public services like planning, housing, leisure and waste collection. We want as many people as possible to have their say on who they want as their local representatives.

“Postal and proxy votes are great options to have if you think you may not be able to get to the polling station on 5 May. We are asking people to plan ahead based on what’s right for them and make sure they are aware of the various important deadlines.”

Cherwell District Council is split into 16 wards with three councillors representing each ward.   One of the three positions in each ward will be up for election on polling day.   These include:

• Adderbury, Bloxham and Bodicote – Andrew McHugh
• Banbury Calthorpe and Easington – Tony Mepham
• Banbury Cross and Neithrop – Cassi Perry
• Banbury Grimsbury and Hightown – Shaida Hussain
• Banbury Hardwick – Tony Ilott
• Banbury Ruscote – Barry Richards
• Bicester East – Tom Wallis
• Bicester North and Caversfield – Nick Mawer
• Bicester South and Ambrosden – Lucinda Wing
• Bicester West – John Broad
• Cropredy, Sibfords and Wroxton – Phil Chapman
• Deddington – Mike Kerford-Byrnes
• Fringford and Heyfords – Barry Wood
• Kidlington East – Carmen Griffiths
• Kidlington West – Conrad Copeland
• Launton and Otmoor – David Hughes

Anyone wishing to stand for election can now be nominated using the forms which are available on the electoral commission website.

Parish council elections will also be held on May 5.

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Published: 29/03/2022 01:03pm by Banbury FM Newsteam

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