The date of the Hemlington by-election has been announced by Middlesbrough Council, following the death of Councillor Jeanette Walker.
The poll will take place on Thursday 24 October. Polling stations will be open from 7am-10pm. An election will only take place if two or more candidates put themselves forward.
Nominations opened on Friday 20 September and will close this Friday 27 September at 4pm. The notice of poll will be published on Wednesday 16 October.
The Notice of Election states: “Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer, P.O. Box 503, Town Hall, Middlesbrough, TS1 9FX on any day after the date of this notice, on Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding bank holidays) but no later than 4 pm on Friday, 27 September 2024.”
The notice goes on to say: “Nomination papers may be obtained from the offices of the Returning Officer, P.O. Box 503, Town Hall, Middlesbrough, TS1 9FX, during the times stated above.”
Those wishing to vote who live within the Hemlington ward must register by 12 midnight on Tuesday 8 October. Applications can be made online. Voters will need to take an acceptable form of identification with them to vote. Acceptable forms of identification can be found here.
Residents in the Hemlington ward who do not have an accepted form of identification can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate before 5pm on Wednesday 16 October.
The by-election is taking place as a result of the death of Councillor Jeanette Walker. Fellow Hemlington Councillor Nicky Walker paid tribute to her close friend at this month’s full meeting of Middlesbrough Council, which took place on 11 September.
Councillor Nicky Walker said: “Councillor Jeanette Walker was brave. She was possibly the bravest person I’ve ever known. She was dedicated, caring, kind, compassionate, hard working and she worked for Hemlington and Middlesbrough through pain and ill-health, right up until the end.
“Jeanette touched the hearts of so many people in so many different ways… Her greater legacy was how she made people feel, how she lit up a room, lit up our lives, and made people feel better about themselves and cared for.
“Since her death, Hemlington has been a community in mourning. I’ve been stopped everyday by people expressing condolences, each with their own tale to tell of what Jeanette meant to them or how she helped them in her own special way.”
The council chamber were told that “Jeanette was passionate about Hemlington, the people, the place, our community and her community adored her in return. Councillor Jeanette Walker was far more than just a councillor to so many people in Hemlington.”
Councillor Nicky Walker concluded her tribute to Councillor Jeanette Walker by saying “People called us the Walker sisters, and many people actually thought we were sisters. In many ways we were sisters, I think we were sisters in our hearts. I will always miss my soul sister, my colleague and my friend.
“Jeanette’s legacy will live on in the hearts of her beloved family, her friends, and in our community of Hemlington, we will ensure that she is never forgotten.”
