Chittlehamholt Parish Council - Additional Information

Chittlehamholt, Satterleigh & Warkleigh Parish Council




contact the Parish Clerk via e-mail 
clerk@cswparish.org.uk

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NDC INFORMATION NOTICES

  


November 2023


Postal votes - Changes to postal and proxy vote applications


Residents in North Devon are advised of changes to the way they can apply for postal and proxy votes.


Voters can now apply for postal votes by completing an online application form.


Previously, postal votes could only be applied for by completing a paper application form. Paper forms are still available from the Electoral Commission website, and can also be requested from North Devon Council's electoral services team.


Postal votes will last for a maximum of three years with voters required to re-apply for their postal vote at the end of this period.


Those who already have a postal vote in place do not need to take any action now. They will be contacted by the council when their postal vote is due for renewal.


There are also changes to proxy voting. Under new rules, voters will be limited to acting as a proxy for two people, regardless of their relationship. Anyone voting on behalf of UK voters who live overseas may be eligible to act as a proxy for up to four people.  Voters are now able to apply online for some types of proxy vote.


Returning officer at North Devon Council, Ken Miles, says: "Postal and proxy votes are vital alternatives for those who are not able to attend polling stations, and the introduction of online application forms makes it easier for people to ensure they can exercise their right to vote in elections. Anyone applying online will need a National Insurance number, but alternative proof of identity may also be accepted.


 "For those who are not able to apply online, or do not have access to the internet, paper copies are still available and can be requested from the council's elections team."


To request a paper postal vote application form from North Devon Council, email elections@northdevon.gov.uk or phone 01271 388277.


POTHOLES


We are currently dealing with a very high number of pothole reports due to the cold and wet weather. Approximately a third of the reports we are receiving are duplicates and are already waiting to be assessed or repaired.

On our Report a Problem page you can:

 * report potholes for assessment
 * provide an email address to receive automatic updates
 * see where potholes have already been reported 
 * see where we have asked our contractor to carry out repairs
Where a report already exists you do not need to create a new report to receive updates. Select the report and click 'Add me to this pothole'.

Your help in reducing the number of duplicate reports we receive will enable our inspection team to work as efficiently as possible during these challenging conditions.

Pothole map
If you report a pothole and we don’t repair it straight away this could be because:

 * the pothole was inspected and is not deemed to be a safety defect
 * there is a problem with the surface of the road which needs to be investigated as a repair will not solve the underlying problem
 * traffic management is needed to carry out repairs safely

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North Devon Council has banned the release of sky lanterns over concerns about the danger they pose to the environment and local community. Councillor Wilkinson brought forward the motion at a full council meeting in September to ban the use of lanterns at events on council-owned or managed land. The motion highlighted how the products have had a significant environmental impact, resulting in fires, litter pollution and illness or death of livestock.