Elections
Elections on 5 May 2022
Elections will take place on 5 May 2022; they will be the biggest local elections in Somerset for many years and will set the course of local government in our county for a generation to come.
Voters will choose who represents them for the next five years at county and local levels – a term that is longer than usual.
For the first year, the newly elected councillors will be responsible for existing Somerset County Council services and will oversee the creation of a new single Somerset Council. Then from 1 April 2023, when the new Somerset Council comes into being, they will assume responsibility for all council services in Somerset.
Councillors at city, town and parishes level will also have a vital role, pioneering new Local Community Networks with power to influence important decisions. They will also have a range of opportunities – if they want – to take control of local assets and services on a cost-neutral basis, such as parks and community centres.
There are no elections at district level. The four district councils and their councillors in Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton, and South Somerset will continue until 1 April 2023 when the new Somerset Council comes into being.
The subsequent elections will be in May 2027, after which local elections will be held every four years. A full boundary review, that sets the area each councillor represents, is expected before the 2027 elections.
Who and what will I be voting for?
You will be voting for candidates who have been nominated as Somerset County Councillors. Voters will be able to elect two candidates in each of the 55 divisions – the areas that they represent.
Their role will change to being members of the new Somerset Council on 1 April 2023 when Somerset becomes a unitary council.
This means that all the services delivered by Somerset County Council and the four district councils – Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton, and South Somerset – will be delivered by the new Somerset Council.
You will also be voting for city, town and parish councillors who represent you in your neighbourhood.
- 110 councillors to build a new Somerset Council for April 2023
- 1 new council replacing five at county and district level
- £18.5m freed up each year to fund services for people
- 275 city, town and parish councils to be elected
- 15 – 20 Local Community Networks to be formed with power to influence unitary decisions
- 19 April postal vote deadline
- 500 polling stations helping everyone to vote
- 1200 staff working together – county, districts and volunteers
What do I need to do?
It’s important to use your vote and have your say on who to represent you and your area. To register to vote, visit https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote before midnight on Thursday, 14 April or contact your local, district council elections team in Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton and South Somerset.
It’s not too early to apply for a postal or proxy vote now. You can find out more information by contacting your local district council’s elections team in Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton and South Somerset or by visiting the Electoral Commission website: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter
What happens and when:
- Now – register to vote
- Notice of election published – 21 March 2022
- Candidates’ nominations accepted from – 22 March
- Deadline for candidates’ nominations – 5 April 2022
- Statement of persons nominated published – 6 April 2022
- Deadline to register to vote – 14 April
- Close of postal vote applications – 19 April 2022
- Polling Day – Thursday 5 May 2022
- Count of votes and declarations of results for 110 councillors – 6 May 2022
- Count of votes and declarations of results for City, Town and Parish Councils – 7 May 2022.
Could I become a councillor?
Yes. We are encouraging people to think about becoming a councillor and welcome applications from a wide range of people. You can find out more here: www.electoralcommission.org.uk
Please read the advice for candidates and nomination packs here: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/how-the-council-works/elections/ or you can contact the Democratic Services Team – democraticservices@somerset.gov.uk / 01823 357628