Melton’s county council candidates set to be revealed

We will know tomorrow (Friday) which candidates will be standing for election for the four Melton area wards on Leicestershire County Council.
Leicestershire County Council headquarters at Glenfield EMN-210804-124159001Leicestershire County Council headquarters at Glenfield EMN-210804-124159001
Leicestershire County Council headquarters at Glenfield EMN-210804-124159001

Residents will heading to polling stations on May 6 to decide who will represent the district’s interests at County Hall over the next four years.

Some unusual venues will be used to house ballot boxes, including pubs, churches, libraries, a fire station and even a carpet shop.

Among the unlikely places where votes will be cast this year are the 14th century All Saints Church in Kirkby Mallory, Wigston Fire Station and Keith’s Discount Carpet shop in Oadby Road.

In the Melton area, The Nags Head at Saltby and the Wheel Inn at Branston are two pubs being used as polling stations.

Traditionally, schools have often been used as voting venues, but this year, returning officers across the country have been urged to find alternative locations where possible in a bid to minimise disruption for pupils who have already missed long periods of time off school due to the pandemic.

This year Leicestershire residents will be voting in elections for both the county council and the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

Graeme Wardle, head of member services at Leicestershire County Council, said: “I’d urge people to take the time to vote on May 6 and so have their say on who represents them.

“County council services play a key part in our daily lives and by using your vote you can help shape the future of local road maintenance, schools, social care and recycling, to name but a few.

“We want to ensure that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so, regardless of the pandemic.

“Polling stations will be Covid-secure, but you can also choose to apply to vote by post or proxy.”

While Melton Borough Council manages services such as leisure, waste collection and planning, County Hall is responsible for issues such as adult and children’s social care, public health, transport, education, road maintenance, libraries, waste management and trading standards.

There are 550,000 Leicestershire people eligible to vote in the elections with all 55 wards on the council up for grabs.

Councillor Alan Pearson has already announced he will not stand for re-election to the Melton West seat due to health issues.

Veteran councillor Byron Rhodes has also said he won’t be standing again for the Belvoir Ward.

The other two current county councillors representing the Melton area are Pam Posnett (Melton East) and Joe Orson (Melton Wolds).

People in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland can also vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner ballot, with current encumbent Lord Willy Bach set to step down.

A list of election candidates will be published tomorrow and April 19 is the deadline to register to vote (April 20 for postal votes).

On May 6, polling stations will open from 7am until 10pm, with vote counting starting at 11.30am the following day.

Social distancing and other safety measures will be in place at all polling stations.

These will include distance markings, hand sanitiser and screens where appropriate.

Voters should wear face coverings and are encouraged to take their own pen or pencil with which to mark their ballot paper.