Fareham Borough Council residents urged to have their say in Hampshire County Council elections

Residents living in the Fareham Borough Council area are being urged to make sure they have their say in the Hampshire County Council elections, taking place on Thursday 2nd May 2013.

A county-wide election takes place every four years and voters in all 75 electoral divisions can choose who they want to run the range of essential local services that impact on all aspects of everyday life. This reaches 1.3 million people who live in the Hampshire County Council area, affecting areas such as education, roads and social care, to access to the countryside, museums and libraries.

Three of the larger divisions can elect two councillors, so Hampshire County Council consists of 78 councillors in total. These councillors represent all the people within their divisions and decide how £1.8 billion of taxpayers' money is spent, and make policies to secure high quality services for the residents of, and visitors to Hampshire. Councillors provide a focus for local people when they have concerns or want things done. They use their local knowledge of the area, and the issues affecting residents, to help the County Council make decisions and check the quality of services it delivers.

District councils run the County Council’s four-yearly elections on behalf of Andrew Smith, the County Returning Officer and Chief Executive.

The names of candidates standing for election in each division (the Statements of Persons Nominated) will be published on the County Council's elections webpages no later than noon on Tuesday 9th April 2013.

Andrew Smith, said: "The County Council elections happen once every four years and provide an opportunity for the democratic process to take place and for the public to have their say at the ballot box. I would therefore encourage everyone who is entitled to vote to turn out on 2nd of May and choose who they want to represent them on the Council."

To be eligible to vote and have your say in the County Council elections, you must be on the electoral register, having registered with your local borough or district council by Wednesday 17th April. For anyone wishing to cast their vote by post, applications for postal votes must also be received by the district councils by 17th April, and proxy vote applications by 24th April.

Counting will take place at the district council offices, and up to the minute results as each division is declared, will be available online. The earliest results are expected in the early hours of Friday 3rd May after the polling stations close at 10pm on the Thursday.

Full Council will meet for the first time after the elections on Thursday 23rd May, at which time the new administration will be formally established. The first meeting of the Cabinet will take place on Monday 24th June.

The current political make-up of the Council, following the last elections in June 2009 and four by-elections, is:

Conservatives - 51

Liberal Democrats - 24

Labour - 1

Community Campaign (Hart) - 1

Green Party - 1

Information for residents about how to vote, how to register for a vote or check if you are already registered, is available from the Electoral Commission www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or you can telephone 020 7271 0500.