Council Offices

Notice of By-Elections

The countdown to two by-elections for Knutsford Town Council has officially commenced with the publication of the formal notice of election.

The elections, which if contested will both be held on Thursday May 6th, were called following the resignation of Katherine Fletcher in April 2020 (Nether Ward) and the death of Barbara Hamilton Coan in November (Bexton Ward). The elected councillors will serve until the next full elections in May 2023.

Those vying for election can download nomination papers from the Electoral Commission website or from Macclesfield Town Hall and candidates now have until 4pm on Thursday 8th April to hand-deliver their nomination papers to the Returning Officer at Macclesfield Town Hall.

Candidates need a proposer and seconder living in the ward in which they are standing and must phone 01270 685922 to make an appointment to deliver completed nomination papers.

Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green said “This is your opportunity to put yourself forward to represent the community and help direct the work of the town council. We will provide all the training and guidance that new councillors need, and councils are strongest with a diverse membership, so please don’t think that being a councillor is not for you.”

Unlike borough councillors, town councillors do not receive an allowance and freely give their time in service to the community.

Residents who are not yet registered to vote in the by-elections, which take place the same day as elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner, have until 19th April to apply – applications can be made online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.  Applications for postal or proxy votes must be made by 5pm on Tuesday 20th April

Formal Notices

Notice of Election – Bexton Ward

Notice of Election – Nether Ward

Town Councillors at Mayor Making 2019

Opportunity for Nether Ward by-election

Electors living in Knutsford’s Nether Ward now have the opportunity to demand an election to fill the vacancy created when Katherine Fletcher stepped down from the council in April as Knutsford Town Council has today posted the notice of vacancy.

If ten electors write to Cheshire East Council before 4th August requesting a by-election to fill the seat an election will be triggered. If an election is not triggered the existing councillors will choose a new councillor to fill the vacancy.

Under current legislation an election will not be held until May 2021 as all elections, national and local, have been suspended until this date. If no election is called a new councillor will be co-opted in November.

To request an election electors must write to: The Returning Officer, Cheshire East Council, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, CW11 1HZ stating they wish to request a by-election of the vacant Nether Ward seat on Knutsford Town Council, giving their full name and address.

Recognising the delays in postal services due to coronavirus, Cheshire East Council will also accept service of this demand by email to electoral.information@cheshireeast.gov.uk to ensure it is received by the deadline of 4th August but require that a hard copy is posted at the same time to comply with Electoral Commission guidelines.

Town Councillors at Mayor Making 2019

Cllr Katherine Fletcher Steps Down

April 16, 2020
, , Town Council News

Nether ward councillor Katherine Fletcher has stepped down from the Town Council after being elected as MP for South Ribble in the December 2019 general election. Katherine, who was elected unopposed in the May 2019 council election, resigned with “heavy heart” to the Town Mayor on 15th April.  

In her resignation letter Katherine said “I had hoped to serve Knutsford through this COVID crisis as well as perform my duties as a newly elected MP. It has now become apparent that the sheer volume of work within Parliament and constituency, leaves no room to also do my duties as a Councillor, and it’s with a heavy heart that I find I must resign.”

Katherine served on the council’s Environment, Assets and Finance Committees and was the council’s representative on the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership.

Mayor of Knutsford Cllr Andrew Malloy said “Katherine’s enthusiasm and knowledge on areas in particular relating to the environment have been a real bonus to the council, especially as we have been considering the impacts of everyday life on the environment, flora and fauna. I would like to thank Katherine for her time on the council and wish her all the best in her career as a MP.”

The process of electing a new councillor for the ward is affected by coronavirus with regulations made by the government postponing any by-election to May 2021. Guidance is currently awaited from Cheshire East Council as to whether the preliminary process, giving the residents of Nether Ward the right to demand an election before allowing the council to co-opt a new councillor, can still go ahead.

An announcement will be made in due course formally declaring the casual vacancy and giving electors the right to demand an election for the seat.

Any by-election will only be for the single Nether Ward seat, not the whole council and the elected or co-opted councillor will serve the remainder of Katherine’s term, retiring with the rest of the council in May 2023.