Notice of Elections published for Highland Council By-Elections

Issued on behalf of the Returning Officer 

Nomination packs for prospective candidates wishing to stand in both the Wick and East Caithness and the Inverness West ward by-elections are now available on The Highland Council’s website    

The two vacancies have arisen as Councillor Nicola Sinclair, one of 4 Councillors representing the Wick and East Caithness ward and Councillor Graham Ross, one of 3 members for the Inverness West ward are both stepping down.

The Returning Officer, Chief Executive of The Highland Council Donna Manson is encouraging people to put themselves forward as candidates.  She said: “As an inclusive Council and to provide greater representation of the diversity in our Council we encourage prospective candidates from all backgrounds to come forward.  Information can be found on our website but you can also drop us an email election@highland.gov.uk for more information or an informal chat.

The closing date for nominations is 4pm on Friday 9 July. Completed nomination papers must be delivered to the appropriate Depute Returning Officer by prior appointment between the hours of 10.00 am and 4.00 pm on any working day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)

• Ward 3 – Wick and East Caithness

Alex Macmanus, The Highland Council, Caithness House, Market Place, Wick KW1 4AB

• Ward 13 – Inverness West

Charles Stephen, The Highland Council, Town House, High Street, Inverness IV1 1JJ

Prior to lodging papers Candidates and Agents should contact Alex Macmanus on 07568 544190 for Ward 3 and Charles Stephen/Linda Johnstone for Ward 13 on 07899 671489 or 07496 176004 to arrange an appointment.

If the seats are contested, voting will take place on Thursday 12 August with the electronic count taking place in Inverness on the following day.

Anyone over 16 years old who is living in Ward 3 or Ward 13 is eligible to take part if they are registered to vote. To register to vote visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote .  Alternatively, call the Electoral Registration Officer on 0800 393 783 to request a paper application form.  The last date to register to vote in these by-elections is midnight on 26 July 2021.

Voters will be able to cast their vote in person on the day by visiting their polling station or they can apply for either a postal vote or to vote by proxy. The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5.00pm on Tuesday 27 July and the deadline for anyone wishing to appoint a proxy, which is someone to vote on their behalf, is Wednesday 4 August. 

Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783.

The current political make-up of The Highland Council is as follows;

Highland Matters (HM) - 4 Independent (Ind) – 25

Real Independent (RI) - 1

Scottish Conservative and Unionist (Con) - 10

Scottish Labour Party (Lab) - 3

Scottish Liberal Democrats (Lib Dem) - 9

Scottish National Party (SNP) - 18

Sutherland Independent Group (SIG) - 1

Non-aligned (NA) - 1

Vacant - 2

ENDS