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IT’S coming up to that time of year again.

This time it is the turn of voters in Durham and Northumberland to elect their local councillor, while it will be North Tyneside’s turn to choose a mayor in May.

For those still unsure about what’s happening we have a full guide to the 2017 elections here, including where you need to vote, what time and key dates to take note of.

The two councils with local elections this year are Durham and Northumberland, both of which elect all their councillors every four years.

The five metropolitan councils in the North East have no council elections this year because they run different electoral timetables, although North Tyneside residents will be able to elect their mayor on May 4.

A Sunderland Council spokesman explained: “Sunderland elects councillors by thirds (a third of the councillors are elected every year for three years, with no elections in the fourth year). This year is a fourth year so no elections are scheduled.”

Likewise, there are also no local elections in Newcastle, Gateshead or North and South Tyneside this year. North Tyneside are, however, having an election to select the region’s mayor.

Durham County Council is responsible for providing services and facilities throughout the county.

The councillors you will elect represent their local constituents, make political decisions and have a say in how the council is run.

Within County Durham there are also 13 town councils and 91 parish councils, who are responsible for a single area or neighbourhood.

Parish and town powers vary but examples include managing allotments, cemeteries, community centres and village halls, and organising events in the community.

These Parish and Town Councils are also run by elected councillors and these will be up for election on May 4 as well.

A Durham County Council spokesman said: “It’s an all-out, countywide election. All the wards — 63 divisions — will be up for election to elect 126 councillors.”

The County Council elections take place once every four years, and byelections are held to fill any vacancies that arise in between elections. In Durham, the current political make-up of the council is:

94 Labour councillors 17 Independent councillors* 9 Liberal Democrat councillors 4 Conservative councillors 2 vacancies *

Northumberland, like Durham, has both county councillors and town and parish councillors. All positions are up for election.

At a county level, Northumberland is divided into 66 different wards which each have their own councillor elected. Alnwick is the only Northumberland ward to be represented by two councillors, rather than one.

Northumberland is having an allout County and Parish Election in May.

A spokesman said: “There are 67 county councillors across 66 wards who will be up for election, as well as the parish and town councillors.” Northumberland’s council is made up of: 31 Labour councillors 20 Conservative councillors 10 Liberal Democrat councillors 5 Independent councillors