Two by-elections and a referendum on 12 December

Some Chelmsford residents will go to the polls next month to vote in by-elections and a referendum. Two by-elections will be held on Thursday 12 December following the sad news of the death of Cllr Ian Grundy.

One election taking place is to elect an Essex County Councillor to represent the electoral division of Stock. The other election is for a Chelmsford City Councillor to represent the South Hanningfield, Stock and Margaretting ward.

Danbury residents will vote in a referendum on the Danbury Neighbourhood Plan on the same day.

Essex County Council election for the Stock ward

Voters in the following areas will be able to vote for a new councillor to represent the Essex County Council Stock division:

• Bicknacre, Downham, East Hanningfield, Howe Green, Margaretting, Ramsden Heath, Rettendon, Runwell, Sandon, Stock, West Hanningfield, and Woodham Ferrers

The Local Government Boundary Commission recently completed a  review of the Essex County Council electoral boundaries. As the recommendations of this review have not yet been made into law, this election will take place under existing boundaries.

Residents in the village of Stock will vote in both by-elections. A new Chelmsford City Councillor will be elected for the South Hanningfield, Stock and Margaretting ward.

Chelmsford City Council election for the South Hanningfield, Stock and Margaretting ward

Residents in this Chelmsford City Council ward will have the opportunity to vote for one candidate to represent them on Chelmsford City Council on 12 December 2024.

This ward includes Downham, Margaretting, Ramsden Heath, South Hanningfield and Stock.

Key by-election deadlines

• Poll cards will be delivered from Thursday 14 November onwards
• Candidate lists for both elections will be published on 18 November
• Existing postal votes will be delivered from Thursday 21 November
• The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday 26 November (11.59pm)
• The deadline to apply for a postal vote is Wednesday 27 November (5pm)
• The deadline to apply for a proxy vote and a voter authority certificate is Wednesday 4 December (5pm)

Danbury residents to vote in Neighbourhood Plan Referendum

Residents living in the Danbury Parish Council area will be able to vote in an upcoming local referendum on 12 December. The Danbury Neighbourhood Plan has been developed by Danbury Parish Council. It covers the whole of the parish and includes planning policies on the environment, village character, development, and open space.

If the majority of those who voted in the referendum support the draft plan, it will be adopted and will become part of Chelmsford’s Local Plan. You can find out more about the plan on the Chelmsford City Council website.

If you live in Danbury you will receive a poll card in the normal way, giving details of the referendum and the address of your polling station.

The results of all these polls will be announced on Friday 13 December.

Don’t forget your voter ID

If you are eligible to vote on December 12, you will need to present an accepted form of photo ID to vote in person at these polls. You can find out more about Voter ID, including what we can accept and how to apply for a free voter authority certificate.

You don't need to take your poll card to the polling station, but you do need to to vote at the address listed on your card. It may be a location you haven't been to before, so don't forget to check before you set out. 

If you can't make it to your polling station on 12 December, you can apply for a postal or proxy vote. Find out more about voting in person, by post and by proxy on GOV.UK. 

Sign up for council news updates

If you have any questions that we haven’t covered here, check the upcoming elections page of the council’s website. You can also keep up to date about what’s happening in Chelmsford in our weekly City Life email newsletter, which is issued every Friday. Sign up for updates here: https://pages.comms.chelmsford.gov.uk/pages/subcribe-to-chelmsford-city-council