Cheshire East Council’s election team is to host a series of briefing sessions for people considering putting their name forward to be a councillor.
There will be seven sessions for potential borough council candidates and a further seven sessions for parish (including town) council candidates this February and March.
There will be elections in May for all 82 borough council seats and for all contested town and parish councils in Cheshire East.
Nominations for the elections close at 4pm on 4th April, meaning all paperwork and other documents must be submitted and approved by that date.
Anyone seeking to stand as a candidate in the May elections is urged to attend one of the following briefing sessions:
● Monday 20th February – Capesthorne Room, Macclesfield Town Hall SK10 1EA
● Sunday 26th February – Committee Suites, Westfields, Sandbach CW11 1HZ
● Wednesday 1st March – Committee Suites, Westfields, Sandbach CW11 1HZ
● Thursday 2nd March – Grand Hall, Congleton Town Hall CW12 1BN
● Monday 6th March – Capesthorne Room, Macclesfield Town Hall SK10 1EA
● Wednesday 8th March – Holmes Chapel Community Centre, Station Road CW4 8AA
● Thursday 9th March – Council Chamber, Crewe Municipal Buildings CW1 2BJ
Briefing sessions start at 5.30pm for borough candidates and at 7pm for parish (including town) candidates – except the briefing on Sunday 26th February, when the borough briefing will start at 2pm and parish (including town) briefing will start at 4pm.
Council chief executive Lorraine O’Donnell, who is the returning officer for Cheshire East, said: “I would urge all potential candidates to attend one of these briefing sessions as there will be important information we need to give relating to these elections, the process for nominations, protocols and legal rules.
“Nomination packs and other relevant paperwork will also be available for collection at the briefings.
“It is important that all paperwork for candidates is completed correctly, prior to the deadline for nominations, to avoid any difficulties that could prevent a candidate from standing.”
The council’s electoral services staff will be on hand to offer advice to candidates on the paperwork that they need to complete.
Information being outlined at the briefings will include:
● The role of borough, parish (including town) councillors
● The protocols they need to follow once elected
● Key changes to election law around voter ID requirements
● Timetables of key election events and deadlines
● Nomination arrangements, timings and how to complete nominations
● Details of the timing of delivery of polling cards
● Details for postal votes and proxy votes
● Polling day arrangements
● Ballot verification and count details
● Candidate expenses guidance
● Campaign “Dos and Don’ts”
Due to limited space, potential candidates are asked to contact Cheshire East Council’s elections team to reserve a place as soon as possible.
They should call 01270 685 922 or email electoral.information@cheshireeast.gov.uk.