Pelsall by-election: Everything you need to know as announcement on new councillor due to be made today
A new councillor for the Pelsall ward of Walsall will be chosen today.
Residents of Pelsall are visiting polling stations today to cast their vote for a new councillor.
The sudden by-election was announced after the previous leader of Walsall Council, Councillor Garry Perry, formally of Pelsall ward, resigned from the role on August 4, stating that the system had 'become tone deaf' and 'transparency was often optional'.
Now, five candidates have put their names forward for the vacant Pelsall position, with ward residents expecting to welcome their new councillor by midnight tonight.
But why is the by-election taking place? And who are the candidates standing?
We have made a comprehensive explainer on why the Pelsall by-election is taking place.
Why is the by-election happening?
The by-election comes following the sudden resignation of the previous Walsall Council leader and Pelsall ward councillor, Mr Garry Perry.
Mr Perry stood down from politics after raising concerns over a lack of transparency and tone deafness to the challenge.
The former leader resigned from the top role in Walsall Council 'with immediate effect' on May 21, citing a 'campaign of political attrition' and 'deliberate undermining and personal hostility' among the reasons. Councillor Mike Bird later took up the leadership role.
Following his resignation, he returned to his previous role as the ward councillor for Pelsall.
However, the former councillor later stood down from representing Pelsall on August 4, and in an exclusive talk to the Express & Star urged that politics - both nationally and locally - 'is in urgent need of repair'.
It comes after Mr Perry made further claims that 'intimidation is normalised' and 'dishonesty is left unchecked'.
In response to the claims, Leader of the Council, Councillor Mike Bird, said that he 'recognises to an extent' Mr Perry's claims of bullying and harassment, adding that at times it did 'go above and beyond', however, he added that he can't address the issue unless Mr Perry 'points the finger' at those responsible.
Councillor Bird later wished Mr Perry all the best in the future, saying that he was a 'champion of his locality in Pelsall'.
The move left a vacant spot in the Pelsall ward, which is the reason for the vote today.
Who can I vote for?
Five candidates have put their names forward for today's vote, with each hoping to fill the spot as one of three councillors in Pelsall.
Among those standing are Joe Belcher (Green Party), Graham Eardley (Reform), Dan Barker (Liberal Democrats), Lee Chapman (Conservative), and Hannah Jones (Labour).
See our breakdown of the candidates below:
Joe Belcher (Green Party), aged 40, from the Rushall-Shelfield ward, works in maintenance.
Graham Eardley (Reform), aged 59, from the Pelsall ward, works as a carer for a relative and chair of the board of patronage for the Lichfield Diocese of the Church of England.
Dan Barker (Liberal Democrats), aged 51, from the Paddock Ward, works as a civil servant for the Ministry of Housing.
Lee Chapman (Conservative), aged 38, from the Pelsall Ward, works as an area manager for an engineering company.
Hannah Jones (Labour), aged 59, from the Paddock Ward, is a retired NHS nurse and volunteer at Walsall Art Gallery.
When and where can I vote?
Polling stations around the Pelsall ward opened at 7am this morning, with the final votes set to be cast at 10pm this evening.
As the vote concerns only the registered electors in the Pelsall ward, only those living in the area are eligible to vote.
Polling stations are open around the village, with voters asked to bring their poll cards that were sent out earlier in the week, as well as their voter ID.
Photographic ID, such as a UK Passport or driving licence, is also a valid form of identification for the vote.
To see a list of polling stations you can vote at, visit the Walsall Council's 'where to vote' webpage.
When will we know the results?
Walsall Council have said that the final vote will be cast at 10pm, with the count due to take place later the same evening.
The result of the poll is expected to be declared at around midnight, when the Walsall Council's social media posts will update on the elected winner.
