A BY-ELECTION will be held on Thursday, November 15 in Dursley following the resignation of Stroud District Councillor Alison Hayward.

Notice of Election has been posted today (Thursday, October 11).

It means voters in Dursley will go the polls on Thursday, November 15.

The period for potential candidates to submit their nomination papers opens tomorrow (Friday, October 12) and closes at 4pm on Friday, October 19.

On the same day, a referendum will be held relating to the adoption of the Dursley Neighbourhood Development Plan – voters will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question: “Do you want Stroud District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Dursley to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?

If more people vote ‘yes’ than ‘no’ in the Referendum, then Stroud District Council will use the Dursley Neighbourhood Development Plan to help it to decide planning applications within Dursley.

The Neighbourhood Plan once adopted will then become part of the Development Plan used by the Local Planning Authority (Stroud District Council).

The plan and other documents relating to it can be viewed at https://www.stroud.gov.uk/environment/planning-and-building-control/planning-strategy/neighbourhood-planning/emerging-neighbourhood-plans/dursley-town-council-plan and they are available for inspection at Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Ebley Wharf, Stroud, GL5 4UB (or at Dursley Town Council offices?)

In order to vote in this by-election and referendum residents must be registered by midnight on Tuesday, October 30. Residents can check if they are registered by calling the helpline on 01453 754886 or online via: gov.uk/register-to-vote with their national insurance number.

There are three ways of voting: in person, by post and by proxy.

Postal and proxy vote application forms are available from Stroud District Council’s website at: stroud.gov.uk/elections or from the helpline on 01453 754886 or via email elections@stroud.gov.uk