Deadline looms for election nominations

Nomination papers for the forthcoming local elections must be lodged by noon on Monday (April 4)

TIME is running out for prospective politicians to register themselves for the May 5 local elections.

A set of completed nomination papers need to be lodged with the West Berkshire Council Returning Officer, David Holling, by noon on Monday, April 4.

The nomination papers must include the signatures of 10 registered electors from the ward.

A statement will be published by Mr Holling on Wednesday, April 6, in which the names of all persons nominated for each ward will be released.

The 52 seats up for grabs in West Berkshire are currently made up of 35 elected Conservative councillors, and 15 Liberal Democrats, with two seats vacant due to the recent death of Keith Lock (Lib Dem, Mortimer), and the resignation of Ellen Crumly (Con, Thatcham Central).

There are 30 wards in the district, which have either one, two, or three seats, depending on the ward population.

Elections are also being held for all 55 parishes in the district, consisting of 488 parish seats, although not all of these are likely to be contested.

The electorate is also being asked to vote at the same time in the national referendum on whether to adopt an Alternative Vote system for future parliamentary elections, which will decide how MPs are elected to Parliament.

There will be 96 polling stations, open for voting from 7am until 10pm, and the count will take place at Newbury Racecourse on Friday, May 6.

Postal vote applications are available via telephone on 01635 519464 or by clicking on the link below.

The forms must be returned to West Berkshire Council by 5pm on Thursday, April 14.

Live rolling coverage of the election will feature on Newburytoday.co.uk, as will the results as they come in.