Futures Forum: Sid Valley Democracy > meeting on Thurs 7th March > how to stand for the Town Council at the upcoming elections
The profiles of some of the declared candidates are on the group's Facebook pages:
Sid Valley Democracy - Home | Facebook
The Herald reports on last night's meeting:
Group’s call for candiates for town council election
PUBLISHED: 09:06 08 March 2019 | UPDATED: 09:06 08 March 2019
A drive has been launched ahead of the upcoming election to get new blood into Sidmouth Town Council.
Sid Valley Democracy is calling for residents to stand as councillors in May for the 19 seats available.
The initiative says it wishes to ensure enough candidates for the seats to be contested after previous elections where there were not enough people, resulting in automatic appointment.
The informal group says 17 people have expressed an interest so far and have hosted meetings for prospective candidates to meet and find out more about the role.
On its Facebook page, the group said: “In most recent elections, so few candidates came forward, they were all automatically appointed – this has been the same for many town councils. The people behind this initiative believe that this is wrong.
“So without passing any judgement on the effectiveness of Sidmouth’s current town council, or indeed how democratically it operates, we have started the initiative to see if more people are interested in standing for election, giving Sid Valley residents a real choice come May 2.
“As well as candidates we’re also keen to get more people to vote, turnout at local elections is usually very low.”
The page has announced Charissa Evans, Peter Blackmore, Deidre Hounsom, John Loudoun, Denise Bickley, Cathy Gardner and Marianne Rixson plan to stand for seats.
Nomination packs are now available from the district council for those wishing to stand in district, town and parish elections.
Candidates must complete the forms and send them to the returning officer of East Devon District Council by 4pm on Wednesday, April 3.
The electorate will head to the polls to vote in district and town and parish elections on May 2.
The counting of the votes will take place in two locations at EDDC’s headquarters at Blackdown House, Honiton, and at Exmouth Town Hall. District council votes will be counted and the results declared on Friday May 3, with contested town and parish elections, counted and announced on Saturday May 4.
If you would like a nomination pack, please contact the electoral services team on 01395 517402.
Sid Valley Democracy launches to find candidates for town council election | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald.
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