All out for the count (From Stroud News and Journal)

All out for the count

COULD it be all change at Ebley Mill? Or will the balance of power remain with the Conservative-led alliance with the Liberal Democrats and Independents?

ON May 2, the district's electorate will have its best ever chance to have its say on who will represent it on Stroud District Council.

This will be an 'all out' election, with all 51 wards being contested at the same time, rather than the usual one third every three years followed by a year's break.

A Boundary Commission review resulted in the redrawing of boundaries and mapping out some new wards to even up representation, so the council is in effect starting afresh.

The scope for change would seem to be greater than ever before, especially as 19 (34.5 per cent) of the present 55 members have not put their names forward this time. In fact, 160 candidates have been nominated, with the deadline for withdrawals today (Wednesday).

The Conservatives have put forward 51 candidates, Labour 45, the Greens 31, the Liberal Democrats 25, there are five independent nominations and three from the UK Independence Party.

Polling cards will be issued this week with instructions to voters on which polling station to visit. The closing date for applying for a postal vote is Wednesday, April 24.

Also on May 2, parish council elections are expected to be contested in Frampton on Severn, Nympsfield, Randwick (Randwick ward only), Fretherne-with-Saul (Fretherne ward only) Bisley-with-Lypiatt (Bisley ward only), Longney, and Arlingham.

For more local election coverage, see this week's SNJ