Date for county council by-election announced

A BY-election will take place in Stoney Stanton and Croft on May 3 following the death of county councillor Ernie White.

Cllr White died over the new year leaving the seat vacant.

He had been the longest serving councillor at County Hall having first been elected in 1975.

Aged 67, he died at his home in Stoney Stanton on January 2 following what was described as a brave fight with a short illness.

Residents have until Tuesday April 17 to check whether they’re on the electoral register and, if not, sign up.

Graeme Wardle, head of member services for Leicestershire County Council said: “The County Council makes decisions on local services and issues that affect us all.

“Whether it is school places, roads, transport, local health, social care or waste disposal, everyone in Leicestershire uses one of these services or may need them in the future.

“Often people miss out on the chance to vote by assuming they’re registered when they’re not - we’d encourage people not to miss out and make sure they use their vote.”

More information, including the candidates standing in the election, will be available on the council’s website at www. leicestershire.gov.uk/byelection

Blaby District Council will be running the election on behalf of the County Council – to find out more about registering to vote, candidate nominations and registering for a postal vote, please visit www.blaby.gov.uk/aboutthe-council/voting-elections/electoral-register .

Around 9,500 people are eligible to vote in the poll the winner of which will represent Stoney Stanton, Croft, Sharnford, Huncote and Sapcote.

Warm tributes were paid to Cllr White at the time of his death with council leader Nick Rushton saying; “He was hugely respected in his electoral patch in Stoney Stanton and Croft, as he was across local government and the public and voluntary sectors in the city and county.

“Ernie was also a friend and a political ally, who relished his public health and physical activity brief in the county council’s Cabinet.

“He was an outstanding chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, and his expertise and commitment in those areas was locally and nationally recognised.

“Ernie will be greatly missed but he leaves a wonderful legacy of public service.”