KNUTSFORD residents are being called on to stand in this year's town council elections as up to eight current councillors could step down.

Voters will head to the polls in May to elect their 15 representatives on Knutsford Town Council.

The elections are held every four years and in the last full election in May 2019, 14 councillors were elected unopposed with one co-opted by the council a month later.

And with up to eight of the current members potentially not standing for re-election in 2023, the town council is urging residents to consider putting themselves forward.

To this end, the council is holding two information evenings to help otential candidates decide if being a councillor is right for them.

Town clerk Adam Keppel-Green said the town council is keen to promote the opportunity of serving as a councillor and see contested elections across all wards.

He added: "Perhaps you aren’t sure what the role of a councillor involves, you want to know how it could work with your other commitments or you’re daunted by the election process.

"Maybe you actually want to be standing for Cheshire East Council. These sessions aim to help you decide whether to stand this May."

Knutsford Guardian: New Knutsford Town Council ward boundaries being introduced in May 2023New Knutsford Town Council ward boundaries being introduced in May 2023 (Image: Google/Knutsford Town Council)

New ward boundaries will be introduced from May 2023, taking the total number in the town from four to five.

The new wards will be Nether; Norbury Booths; Town Centre and Bexton; Cross Town; and St John’s Wood.

The information sessions will include an overview of what the council can and cannot do, the role of a town councillor and the process for standing for election.

They will also include a Q&A with serving town councillors so residents can here just what the life of a town councillor actually is. 

Both sessions will take place at the council offices in Toft Road, with the first starting at 7pm on Thursday, February 16, and the second at the same time on Monday, February 20.

The second session will also be livestreamed to Facebook.

Questions for the Q&A, about the role of being a councillor, can be submitted to townclerk@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk or asked on the evening.