A by-election will be held in County Durham next month following the death of a much-loved councillor. 

Former Durham County Council Chair Beaty Bainbridge died in February, with a replacement councillor for the Chester-le-Street East ward due to be elected on May 4. 

Tributes were paid to cllr Bainbridge at a recent council meeting, where the new Chair cllr Joan Nicholson was elected. She said: “Beaty was one of my best friends, she was County Durham to the heart of her; she ate and slept County Durham.“

"In the short time I’ve been doing the circuit, Beaty has been held in the greatest esteem. Her service to this county is just impeccable. She will be an absolute huge miss to Durham County Council and to the people who were able to call her their friend.”

A further two by-elections will also take place in two Great Aycliffe Town Council wards - West; and Byerley Park, Horndale and Cobblers Hall.

Residents have been reminded to register to vote and must also show an acceptable form of photo ID, in line with the Government’s Elections Act 2022. Accepted forms of photo ID include passports, driving licences and concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus  pass.

Poll cards for this election will be delivered to residents on the electoral register from Tuesday 11 April and residents can request a postal or proxy vote. The deadline for postal vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday 18 April, and 5pm on Tuesday, 25 April for proxy vote applications.

Anyone who is not registered, or has recently moved house in these areas and has not informed electoral services, is encouraged to register by Monday 17 April at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

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To request a paper copy of a postal or proxy application form, or for help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, contact electoral services on 03000 261212 or email electoralservices@durham.gov.uk

Voters will also be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photograph. A full list of acceptable photo ID can be found at www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need. People who do not have an accepted form of photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. 

All applications for a free Voter Authority Certificate for these elections must be received by 5pm on Tuesday, 25 April.