The news that Reeta Chakrabarti brings to us on BBC1 at 10pm is dominated by Westminster politics, and - still – by the government’s handling of the Covid pandemic. But politics also goes on at a local level, albeit with less fanfare, and our councillors discharge important responsibilities.
Our parish council takes care of public toilets, the allotments, bus shelters and more. In Mid Sussex, the district council rules on planning issues, and is responsible for the Dolphin and other leisure centres, for social housing provision and much else. And West Sussex county council spends around £600m a year on services including schools, roads, care for the elderly and vulnerable adults, and fire and rescue.
It matters to all of us in the village whether these councils provide these services well and efficiently, or poorly and wastefully. And via the ballot box we have the power to reward a good council, or to punish a badly performing one.
Soon, we will have the chance to influence a local council again: polling stations such as the one in the United Reformed church on the High Street will be open on 6 May for the West Sussex county council election. All adults have the right to choose our representative for the Lindfield and High Weald electoral division. The vote for the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner is on the same day.
A guaranteed safe way to vote
So how will that work, given that we will still be under some Covid restrictions? And can we cast our vote safely? Some people will have no worries about voting in person at the polling station on 6 May. The council staff who very ably run our polling stations will put precautions in place to allow for social distancing, hand sanitation and so on.
Voters are encouraged to wear a face covering, bring their own pen or pencil, clean their hands when entering and leaving the polling station and keep a safe distance. However, there is a way to avoid any risk or inconvenience when voting: to vote by post. A postal vote means you can mark your ballot in the comfort of your own home. And you can also be sure that you will be able to cast your vote. What happens if, on 6th May, you fall ill and cannot leave home, or some work emergency takes you away from the area unexpectedly? If you have a postal vote, you will be able to vote early – at least nine working days before polling day.
Applying for a postal vote is easy to do. If you are online, go to the Mid Sussex District Council’s elections web page1, print and complete the application form, and email or post it back to the council. If you are not online, you can telephone the council’s elections team on 01444 477003, and they will be pleased to help you. You only have to apply one time - the council will send you a postal vote for all future elections if you so choose.
It’s quick and easy to apply for a postal or proxy vote. Simply visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/elections-voting and complete the relevant application form. The latest the Council can accept postal vote applications is 5pm on 20th April, and for a proxy vote applications the deadline is 5pm on 27th April.
For more information about the elections on Thursday 6th May 2021 visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/elections, email elections@midsussex.gov.uk or call 01444 477003.