The timetable for the election for the return of a councillor for Ward 4 (Landward Caithness) of The Highland Council has been confirmed today (Friday 11 October 2013).
Candidates have until 4pm on Monday 28 October 2013 to confirm they are standing. If the seat is contested, a by-election will take place on Thursday, 28 November 2013. Nomination forms are now available from David Sutherland, Depute Returning Officer, Chief Executives Office, Highland Council Offices, Government Buildings, Girnigoe Street, WICK, KW1 4HW or via The Highland Councils web site: www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/elections/
Anyone eligible to vote can apply for either a postal vote or to vote by proxy. The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5.00pm on Wednesday, 13 November 2013 and the deadline for anyone wishing to apply to vote by proxy is Wednesday, 20 November 2013. Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783.
The Returning Officer is the Chief Executive of The Highland Council, Steve Barron and the count will take place at the Assembly Rooms in Wick on Friday 29 November 2013.
Landward Caithness is one of 22 wards within the Highland area and has a population of 11,290 with the main centres being Halkirk, John O' Groats, Castletown, Dunbeath and Lybster. The electorate is 8,588.
The by-election is being held following the resignation on 30 September 2013 of Councillor Alex MacLeod who was elected onto The Highland Council in May 2012. He was one of four Councillors representing Landward Caithness. The other Ward members are Councillors David Bremner (Independent), Willie Mackay (Independent) and Gillian Coghill (Independent).
The Highland Council is made up of 80 elected members. The current representation is Independent 33, SNP 21, Liberal Democrats 14, Labour 8, Independent Nationalist 1, Non-aligned 2 with 1 vacancy for the Landward Caithness ward.