Local Council Elections will be taking place on Thursday 6th May 2021.

Ever thought of being a town councillor?

Local Council Elections are taking place on Thursday 6^th May 2021. Expressions of interest to serve on Brackley Town Council are welcomed from anyone who is over 18 who meets criteria set by the Electoral Commission

As a councillor representing your community you will help keep it a great place to live and work

• You will be supported in your role and will be expected to undertake training
• You should be comfortable working electronically
• You should have a positive outlook and a can-do attitude and be willing to work as part of a team

If you are interested in joining the council, please contact Alison Moses, Town Clerk by 31 March 2021 for more information on 01280 702441 or by e-mail at town.clerk@brackleynorthants-tc.gov.uk.

Brackley Town Council currently meets on the evening on the first Monday of the month, and committee meetings on 3^rd Monday of each month.

If you care about your community and would like to help make a real difference we would really like to hear from you.

Local government in Northamptonshire is facing its biggest change in over 40 years

2021 elections will see some changes to District and County Councillor elections due to the eight existing council - Wellingborough, Corby, Daventry, East Northants, Kettering, Northampton, Northamptonshire County and South Northants - being replaced with two brand new unitary councils on 1st April 2021.

West Northamptonshire unitary council will serve the areas of Daventry District, Northampton and South Northants.

Brackley will now comprise of 4 electoral wards - North, South, East and West. There will be a total of 16 seats up for election to serve Brackley Town Council - 4 for each ward (currently 3 wards, each with 5 councillors).

Brackley will be represented by three councillors on the new West Northamptonshire Unitary Council

The new unitary councils will be responsible for all public services provided to residents in their areas – currently these are split between the district and borough councils and the county council, which can seem fragmented to residents, as well as costing more to deliver in some cases.

District Council Election

Following the postponement of elections in May 2020 for the new unitary councils - due to the Covid-19 pandemic – an alternative approach and new legislation was made by the Government to enable the creation of the new authorities this year as planned.

In May 2020 two North and West Shadow authorities were set up to lead the preparations for creating the two unitary councils. Instead of being made up of newly elected councillors, they combined the membership of the existing district, borough and county councils. More information about the Shadow Authorities can be found here: https://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/cmis5live/WestNorthamptonshireShadowAuthority.aspx

The elections to the new unitary councils will take place on Thursday 6 May 2021 in line with local town/parish elections.

Guidance for Candidates
Parish Councils

Information for prospective candidates is available from Electoral Services, South Northants Council including instructions that need to be followed with regards to the informal check of papers online before you come to the formal appointment to hand in
papers/nomination forms

https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/councillors-and-democracy/standing-election

Information is also available from The Electoral Commission

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/candidate-or-agent/parish-council-elections-england

Unitary & Parish Elections
Nomination Guidance for
Candidates & Agents

Candidate FAQ's
Parish Councils

Timetable for Local Council Elections 2021

Monday 29th March - last day for Notice of Election to be issued to all towns and parishes.

Thursday 1st April - West Northamptonshire Council in place

Thursday 8th April - All nomination forms must be submitted no later than 4pm. This is the statutory dead line for when Electoral Services can receive nomination papers - not a minute later!

Thursday 6th May - Polling Day

Monday 10th May - Newly elected Councillors legally take office

Advice for voters

Register to vote

The easiest way to register is to visit the Government website on your computer, tablet or smartphone.
The deadline for registering to vote for the elections in May is Monday 19 April 2021.
The application process takes roughly 5 minutes and will ask for your name, date of birth, nationality, national insurance number and a few other details.
Your national insurance number can be found on a national insurance card, on payslips, or on official paperwork from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs regarding pensions, benefits or tax queries.
If you have recently moved or you are not sure if you are registered, you should contact your local Electoral Services team.

Voting at a Polling Station

You can vote in person at your designated polling station from 7.00am until 10.00pm on voting day (Thursday 6th May)
Details of your polling station will appear on the poll card that will be sent out to you a few weeks before the elections. You can also check your polling station online.

If you lose or forget your poll card you will still be able to vote without it, but it is easier if you have it with you.

A range of measures are being taken at polling stations to maximise physical distancing and minimise the risk of COVID-19. Learn more about voting and coronavirus safety measures. including:
Following the current Government guidance on Covid-19
RING YOUR OWN PEN OR PENCIL TO MARK YOUR BALLOT PAPER

Voting by post

If you are 18 or over and on the electoral register, you can apply for a postal vote. You must submit an application for a postal vote by 5pm on Tuesday 20 April in order to vote by post in the elections on 6 May 2021

Postal vote packs are sent out about 10 to 15 days before the day of the election. They must be completed and returned by 10pm on election day (Thursday 6 May).

To request an application form, please contact your local Electoral Services team.

Priority post boxes

Royal Mail Priority Post Boxes were introduced to help with the collection and onward delivery of COVID test kits, but as elections are also a priority mailing, these postal boxes can also be used for your postal vote.

There are 35,000 Priority Post Boxes across the country and these boxes have early and late collection times, with 15,000 of them having a collection 3-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Voting by proxy

Voting by proxy means you can appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf if you are unable to get to the polling station, for example if you are working away, on holiday abroad, or fall ill. You must submit your application for a proxy vote by 5pm on Tuesday 27 April in order to vote by proxy in the elections on 6 May 2021. Contact the Elections Team to find out more.