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B&NES Council elections

At council elections, voters in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) vote to choose the councillors who will be responsible for making decisions on local services, council policies and how public money is spent.

There are 33 wards in B&NES, and 59 councillors in total. Each ward is represented by one or two councillors, depending on the number of electors in that ward.

The political party that has a majority of councillors (30 councillors or more) runs the Council.

View more information about Bath and North East Somerset Councillors and how the Council works.

Voting system at council elections

Councillors are elected using the First Past the Post (FPTP) voting system.

In a ward which is represented by one councillor, each voter can vote for only one candidate by putting a cross (X) in the box next to their choice on the ballot paper. The candidate who wins the most votes in that ward is elected.

In a ward which is represented by two councillors, each voter can vote for no more than two candidates by putting a cross (X) in the box next to each of their choices. The two candidates who win the most votes in that ward are elected.

When council elections are held

Council elections are held every four years, normally on the first Thursday in May. The last Council election was Thursday 4 May 2023, with the Liberal Democrats winning a commanding majority.

The next Council election is in May 2027.

If a councillor resigns, dies or becomes disqualified during their term of office, a by-election is held to fill the vacancy in their ward.

Who can vote at council elections

You can vote in local government elections if you are all of the below:

  • Registered to vote in Bath and North East Somerset
  • Aged 18 or over on polling day
  • A British or Irish citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a qualifying EU citizen

British citizens registered to vote as British citizens living overseas cannot vote at local government elections.

Standing as a candidate

Information about standing as a candidate, including copies of the nomination papers which must be submitted by all candidates, election timetables and deadlines will be published when the election is announced.

View the Electoral Commission Guidance for candidates and agents at local government elections in England.

Wards in Bath and North East Somerset

There are 33 wards in B&NES:

  • Bathavon North
  • Bathavon South
  • Bathwick
  • Chew Valley
  • Clutton & Farmborough
  • Combe Down
  • High Littleton
  • Keynsham East
  • Keynsham North
  • Keynsham South
  • Kingsmead
  • Lambridge
  • Lansdown
  • Mendip
  • Midsomer Norton North
  • Midsomer Norton Redfield
  • Moorlands
  • Newbridge
  • Odd Down
  • Oldfield Park
  • Paulton
  • Peasedown
  • Publow & Whitchurch
  • Radstock
  • Saltford
  • Southdown
  • Timsbury
  • Twerton
  • Walcot
  • Westfield
  • Westmoreland
  • Weston
  • Widcombe & Lyncombe

View Bath & North East Somerset Council wards on a map.