Do you fancy yourself to become Wirral’s newest councillor?

A vacancy has opened up following the resignation of former Bromborough member Warren Ward, who announced his decision to step down on Monday.

Now a notice of casual vacancy in Mr Ward’s former office has been posted on the local authority’s website.

It means a by-election will be held to fill the vacancy once the council has received a request in writing by two local government electors within Wirral.

Once they are received, the date of the by-election will be set at the returning officer’s discretion for within 35 working days.

If no requests are received, the vacancy will remain until the seat would normally be up for election again – currently set at 2020.

It comes after Mr Ward – who was Wirral’s youngest ever councillor – resigned at the age of 20.

He was first elected in 2016, and announced his decision at a full meeting of Wirral Council.

Addressing councillors, he said: “I knew that being a young councillor was always going to be difficult with many hurdles along the road, but I hope that I have been able to inspire other young people to get involved in local politics to make a difference and to change their communities.”

Who can be a councillor?

Almost anybody can stand to be a councillor as long as you are:

British or a citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union

At least 18 years old

Registered to vote in the area or have lived, worked or owned property there for at least 12 months before an election.

You can’t be a councillor if you:

Work for the council you want to be a councillor for, or for another local authority in a politically restricted post

Are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order

Have been sentenced to prison for three months or more (including suspended sentences) during the five years before election day

Have been convicted of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court

Councillors are elected to the local council to represent their local community, so they must either live or work in the area

A councillor’s role and responsibilities include:

Representing the ward for which they are elected

Decision-making

Scrutinising decisions taken by the councillors on the executive or cabinet

Community leadership and engagement

For more information visit https://www.wirral.gov.uk/elections-and-voting/elections/election-notices