Highland Council election called
Issued on behalf of the Returning Officer
The 2017 Highland Council election has been officially called today (Monday 13 March) with the Returning Officer seeking nominations from candidates wishing to stand in the local government elections which take place on Thursday 4 May.
A total of 74 Councillors will be appointed to represent the Council in 21 electoral wards, each with three or four elected members.
|
Name of Ward |
Number of Councillors to be elected
|
|
|
Ward 1. |
North, West and Central Sutherland |
3 |
|
Ward 2. |
Thurso and Northwest Caithness |
4 |
|
Ward 3. |
Wick and East Caithness |
4 |
|
Ward 4. |
East Sutherland and Edderton |
3 |
|
Ward 5. |
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh |
4 |
|
Ward 6. |
Cromarty Firth |
4 |
|
Ward 7. |
Tain and Easter Ross |
3 |
|
Ward 8. |
Dingwall and Seaforth |
4 |
|
Ward 9. |
Black Isle |
3 |
|
Ward 10. |
Eilean a' Cheò |
4 |
|
Ward 11. |
Caol and Mallaig |
3 |
|
Ward 12. |
Aird and Loch Ness |
4 |
|
Ward 13. |
Inverness West |
3 |
|
Ward 14. |
Inverness Central |
3 |
|
Ward 15. |
Inverness Ness-side |
3 |
|
Ward 16. |
Inverness Millburn |
3 |
|
Ward 17. |
Culloden and Ardersier |
3 |
|
Ward 18. |
Nairn and Cawdor |
4 |
|
Ward 19. |
Inverness South |
4 |
|
Ward 20. |
Badenoch and Strathspey |
4 |
|
Ward 21. |
Fort William and Ardnamurchan |
4 |
The deadline for nominations is 4.00 pm on Wednesday 29 March
The Returning Officer for the election is Steve Barron, Chief Executive, The Highland Council and in the lead up to the election, a series of briefings for prospective candidates have been held in Inverness; Fort William; Skye; Dingwall; Golspie and Wick which have been well attended.
Voting will be taking place on 4 May in 267 polling stations with the option for people to use a postal vote. If you choose to vote by post then you cannot vote in person at a polling station.
The votes will be counted electronically on the following day (Friday 5 May) at Inverness Leisure.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Council’s website www.highland.gov.uk/elections along with information on where candidates for particular wards need to return their forms to. Forms can also be obtained by telephoning 01349 886657.
Completed nomination papers must be delivered no later than 4.00 pm on Wednesday 29 March 2017 to the appropriate Depute Returning Officer. The Depute Returning Officers are unable to accept nomination papers electronically.
An election helpline has been set up by the Returning Officer to assist the public and candidates with any queries. The number is 01349 886657.
If an elector is away or cannot go to the polling station on Thursday 4 May 2017, they can apply to vote by post or apply to vote by proxy. To find out how to apply, call the helpline immediately.
Extensive information about the elections is also posted on The Highland Council’s web site – www.highland.gov.uk. This includes information for anyone considering standing on the different aspects of a councillor’s role so they are prepared if successfully elected. There are also links to the Electoral Commission site where guidance and resources are available for candidates and their agents.