ELECTORS living in Knutsford’s Nether ward have the opportunity to demand an election to fill the vacancy created when Katherine Fletcher stepped down from the council.

Katherine stepped down in April from her role on the town council because of the work commitments she faces as the MP for South Ribble.

Katherine was elected as an MP in December’s General Election after being elected unopposed to Knutsford Town Council in the May 2019 council election to serve on the Nether ward.

Knutsford Town Council has posted the notice of vacancy, and if 10 electors write to Cheshire East Council before August 4 requesting a by-election to fill the seat an election will be triggered.

If an election is not triggered the existing councillors will choose a new councillor to fill the vacancy.

Under current legislation an election will not be held until May 2021, as all elections, national and local, have been suspended until this date.

If no election is called a new councillor will be co-opted in November.

To request an election electors must write to The Returning Officer, Cheshire East Council, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, stating they wish to request a by-election of the vacant Nether ward seat on Knutsford Town Council, giving their full name and address.

Recognising the delays in postal services due to coronavirus, Cheshire East Council will also accept service of this demand by email to electoral.information@cheshireeast.gov.uk to ensure it is received by the deadline of August 4, but require that a hard copy is posted at the same time to comply with Electoral Commission guidelines.