Local elections 2021: how to find out which candidates are running in May Council elections - and how to vote

The biggest set of local elections in decades will take place on 6 May this year, with more seats up for grabs than at any time since a major local government restructure in 1973.

Most councils in England and Wales have at least some seats up for re-election, due to last year’s elections being postponed as a result of the pandemic.

There will also be separate elections taking place for the Welsh and Scottish devolved parliaments, as well as a parliamentary by-election in Hartlepool.

Local councils have a number of responsibilities, from social care to planning and rubbish collection.

So how do the elections work, and who are the candidates? This is what you need to know.

Can I vote in the local elections?

If you have previously registered to vote in local or general elections at your current address, you will be eligible to vote in May.

The deadline to register was 19 April, but you can check whether you’re already registered by contacting your local authority - to find out who to contact, enter your postcode on the government's website.

You can vote in person at a polling station on 6 May, or by post if you are registered to do so.

What are the local elections?

Whereas in a general election we vote for MPs to represent parliamentary constituencies, local elections relate to local authorities.

In some parts of the country, local government has a two-tier structure, with a number of smaller district councils sitting under a larger county council, and the responsibilities divided between them.

In other parts of the country, a single unitary authority representing an entire area will be responsible for all the functions of local government.

There are a number of other roles up for election, including single and combined authority mayors, and Police and Crime Commissioners.

Who are the candidates in my area?

To find out which elections you can vote in, or which are taking place in your area, you can go to the Electoral Commission’s website and put in your postcode.

Which councils have seats up for election?

Most councils in England have at least some seats up for grabs in the 2021 local elections, due to the postponement of last year’s elections.

Some areas will elect only a third of councillors, while others will have half the total seats up, and the rest will have all their seats up for election.

Councils with a third of seats up:

Councils with half the seats up:

Full councils up for re-election

Mayoral elections

Combined authority mayors

Single authority mayors

Police and Crime Commissioner elections