Keith and Cullen residents to vote for councillor in by-election next month

KEITH and Cullen residents will have the opportunity to elect a new councillor at a by-election being held in November.

It follows the resignation of Cllr Ron Shepherd, who is stepping down after 20 years as a councillor representing the former Rathford ward, and latterly the multi-member Keith and Cullen ward.

Polling will take place on Thursday 21 November, with the count and declaration taking place the following day in Keith. By law, a Returning Officer has to hold a by-election within three months of a vacancy occurring.

Eight polling places will be used in the by-election: McBoyle Hall, Portknockie; Cullen Tennis and Bowling Club; Deskford Jubilee Hall; Newmill Public Hall; King Memorial Hall, Grange; Old Ogilvie School Hall, Keith; Longmore Hall, Keith, and Rothiemay Hall.

Currently, of the 7,812 voters in the ward, 1,436 opt to vote by post. Voters will be asked to mark candidates by preference using numbers, under the Single Transferable Vote proportional representation system.

Candidate nominations will open on Tuesday 8 October, anyone interested in receiving a candidate nomination pack should contact Moray Council’s election office on 01343 563334 or email election.enquiries@moray.gov.uk.

More information, including a formal election timetable, will be available in due course at www.moray.gov.uk/elections.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.