Black Isle by-election timetable confirmed

By-election information

The timetable for the election for the return of a councillor for Ward 10 (Black Isle) of The Highland Council has been confirmed today (Friday 8 November). 

Candidates have until 4pm on Monday 18 November to confirm they are standing.  If the seat is contested, a by-election will take place on Thursday, 19 December 2013. Nomination forms are now available from Di Agnew, Depute Returning Officer, Room 120, Highland Council Offices, Dingwall, IV15 9QN or via The Highland Council’s website: http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/elections/

Anyone eligible to vote 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 Wednesday, 11 December 2013 and the deadline for anyone wishing to apply to vote by proxy is Wednesday, 4 December 2013.  Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783.

The Returning Officer is the Chief Executive of The Highland Council, Steve Barron and if there is a contest, voting will take place on 19 December with the count taking place at the Black Isle Leisure Centre in Fortrose on Friday 20 December 2013.

The Black Isle ward is one of 22 wards within the Highland area and the electorate is 8,443.

The by-election is being held following the death of Councillor Billy Barclay who was elected onto The Highland Council in May 2003. He was one of four Councillors representing the Black Isle. The other Ward members are Councillors David Alston (Liberal Democrat), Craig Fraser (SNP) and Isobel McCallum (Independent).

The Highland Council is made up of 80 elected members.  The current representation is Independent 32, SNP 21, Liberal Democrats 14, Labour 8, Independent Nationalist 1, Non-aligned 2  with 1 vacancy for the Landward Caithness ward and 1 vacancy for the Black Isle ward.