A by-election for St Helier Ward will take place on Thursday 6 May, following the resignation of Labour Councillor Kelly Braund.

The nomination process for candidates opens on Tuesday 23 March and the deadline for receipt of nomination papers is 4pm on Thursday 8 April. The candidates will be announced at 4pm on Friday 9 April.

Merton Council’s Chief Executive and Returning Officer, Ged Curran, said: “Following the resignation of Councillor Kelly Braund, I have been asked by the local government electors to hold a by-election for St Helier Ward so that the electorate can vote for a new St Helier councillor. As returning officer, I can announce that a St Helier Ward by-election will take place on Thursday 6 May.”

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Mark Allison, said “I am sorry to see Kelly go, but she and her partner have chosen to relocate to Scotland and I would like to wish them well in their new life there. She was an excellent ward councillor and a talented cabinet member who helped Merton’s Children’s Services achieve one of the country’s best Ofsted results of recent times, and we will miss her.”

Residents living in St Helier Ward, who are not already on the electoral roll have until midnight on Monday 19 April to register to vote.

Residents who would prefer not to go to a polling station can apply for a postal vote by 5pm on Tuesday 20 April or apply for a proxy vote by 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.

The council is working hard to make polling stations safe for voters, who will be asked to social distance, wear a face covering and bring their own pen or pencil to mark their ballot paper.  

Voters must not visit a polling station if they have Covid symptoms, have tested positive for Covid or have been asked to self isolate. Arrangements will be in place for them to apply for an emergency proxy vote.

Find out more: www.merton.gov.uk/voting