THE date for the Wyre Forest District Council election in Areley Kings and Riverside has been set for Tuesday, June 9.

The election for councillors for the Areley Kings East ward of Stourport-on-Severn Town Council will also be held on this day.

Polling was due to take place on Thursday, May 7, but was postponed following the death of one of the candidates, Nigel Thomas, on Sunday, April 12.

Mr Thomas served as a member for the Areley Kings ward from 2006 to 2014, and rose to lead the Independent Community and Health Concern group on the council.

Dr Richard Taylor, Health Concern Parliamentary Candidate, said following Mr Thomas’s death, that he had been a tower of strength to Health Concern as the elected chairman.

He added: “He did so much work for the party in the background and has been a most important member of Health Concern and we are very, very grateful for all that he did for us.”

The other validly nominated candidates for the two wards remain and they cannot withdraw their nominations. Any new nominations must be received by 4pm on Tuesday, May 12.

There are three vacant district council seats and three vacant town council seats. Polling cards are due to be delivered around Saturday, May 9. Residents are being asked to check their polling station details on the cards. They will be open on Tuesday, June 9, between 7am and 10pm.

Residents who are not on the electoral register, but would still like to vote in the elections, needs to register by midnight on Thursday, May 21.

Anyone in the two wards who applied for a postal or proxy vote for elections will still be able to vote by these methods on the new election date. Those who would like to vote by post or proxy, and have not previously registered need to apply by filling in the application form on the district council’s website. The deadline for applying for a postal vote is 5pm on Friday, May 22, and the deadline for a proxy vote is 5pm on Monday, June 1.

If you live in the Areley Kings and Riverside ward and are unsure whether you are registered to vote at your current address, you should contact the Electoral Services Team on 01562 732928 or email electoral@wyreforestdc.gov.uk.

Ian Miller, returning officer for Wyre Forest, said: “Residents who live in these wards can vote in the district and town council elections on Tuesday, June 9, in person, by post, or under certain circumstances, by proxy. This is to make it easier for residents to use their vote and play their part in selecting councillors for the vacant seats.

“However, in order to vote on polling day, residents must make sure they are registered to vote by their chosen method in good time for the election on Tuesday, June 9.”