On Thursday 5 May, local elections are taking place up and down the country. However, alongside the majority of other unitary authorities, Bedford Borough Council has ‘whole council elections’ every four years, with the next ones taking place in 2023.
The last Bedford Borough Council elections were in 2019.
This means that all of our local Councillors are up for election at the same time, alongside our Elected Mayor.
To add further confusion, this is in contrast to some other unitary authorities – like our neighbours in Milton Keynes – or some ‘district councils’ which have a third of their councillors elected each year for a four-year term with the exception of the ‘county council’ election year for districts.
Following a recent Local Government Boundary Commission Review, Bedford Borough Council’s wards and number of councillors will be different for the next election in May 2023.
Read: Proposed new political map for Bedford: have your say
This review was to ensure that Councillors represent an equal proportion of electors across the Borough, and some ward boundaries have been amended which is a result of housing growth in specific areas of the Borough.
There will be 46 councillors across 28 wards: thirteen single-councillor wards, twelve two-councillor wards, and three three-councillor wards.
This is an increase of six councillors, and one ward compared to currently. The boundaries of the majority of the wards will be different.
This means you might be in a different ward for the next election.
This will be indicated on your poll card that you will receive in April 2023. Prior to the next election the Council will be doing a Polling District and Place Review which is a statutory requirement after a Boundary Review and more information on this will be available within the next few months on the Council website.
Laura Church, Chief Executive of Bedford Borough Council said: “The next election in Bedford Borough will be in May 2023, but it is never too early to get ready.
“If you have recently moved, you can register to vote. This means you will be on the electoral roll at your new address so you will receive a polling card, which will remind you to vote and where your local polling station is as this may also have changed from the last election.
“Registering to vote is really important; it means you can vote in your local and national elections, and make your voice heard.
“You can register to vote at gov.uk/register-to-vote or via the Council’s website.”
