Polling open to elect councillors

Today, polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 10pm tonight, with millions of voters across 22 county and unitary areas voting to elect more than 1,500 councillors.

Simon Edwards, chief executive of the County Councils Network, said: “Today voters in county areas go to the polls to elect more than 1,500 councillors to county and unitary councils. These councillors will shape the future of those areas and the local services delivered over the next four years and, perhaps beyond, so it is vital that local residents use their vote.

“Much of the build up to today’s election has focused on national politics and what the results will mean for the main political parties, but we must remember these local elections will have a significant impact on the everyday lives of 16 million people living in the county areas going to the polls. County and unitary councils not only deliver care for thousands of elderly and young people, but they repair roads, run libraries, maintain streetlights, provide bus services, build homes and much more.

“We look forward to working with all new and returning councillors who are elected over the weekend and in representing their areas on the national stage to secure more f funding and powers for their places. With counting set to being tomorrow and into the weekend we’d like to thank all of these returning officers and their teams who make these elections run smoothly.”