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Elections and Referendums

Chapters in this topic

  1. Types of election and referendum
  2. Introduction to registering and voting
  3. Registering to vote
  4. Ways to vote
  5. Remove yourself from the open register
  6. Upcoming elections and referendums
  7. Previous elections and referendums

Previous elections and referendums

Information about elections which have taken place.

Borden and Priory Ward by-elections

Information about the Borden and Priory ward by-elections that took place in September 2024.

Election notices

You can download the:

UK general election

A general election was called on Wednesday 22 May.

The general election took place on Thursday 4 July, 2024.

Election documents

List of documents relating to the general election on Thursday 4 July.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey

You can download the:

Faversham and Mid-Kent

Notices for Faversham and Mid-Kent have been published on Maidstone Borough Council's website.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election

You can visit Gravesham Borough Council's website to see  the results of the May 2024 PCC elections.

You can download the election notices for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on Gravesham Borough Council's website.

Visit Gravesham Borough Council's website to download the Notice of Poll and Statement of Persons Nominated.

You can download the Situation of Polling Stations (PDF 126KB).

Community Governance Review

Information about the Sheerness community governance review.

What is Community Governance?

In essence it is the way in which local communities are represented and governed at local authority level and through the involvement of other statutory and voluntary agencies and community groups and by the efforts of local people themselves. It is also about the way in which individuals and groups within the community are listened to and able to influence decisions that affect them.

What is a Community Governance Review?

A community governance review enables a principal council such as Swale Borough Council to review and put in place or make changes to community governance systems and structures e.g. by creating, merging, abolishing or changing parish or town councils in the review area.

What is a town or parish council?

A town or parish council is an elected body made up of local people representing the interests of their community. The creation of a new town or parish council would be in addition to and not instead of Swale Borough Council.

Who can undertake a Community Governance Review?

Since 13 February 2008, district councils, unitary county councils and London borough councils (all principal councils) have had responsibility for undertaking community governance reviews and have been able to decide whether to action the recommendations made in those reviews. In making that decision, they will need to take account of the views of local people. Principal councils are also required to have regard to the guidance on undertaking community governance reviews published jointly by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Boundary Commission.

How can a Community Governance Review Be Instigated?

Community Governance Reviews can be instigated in two ways:

  • by a resolution passed by the principal council (i.e. the district or unitary council for the area);
  • by a petition signed by local electors as follows:
  1. for an area with less than 500 local electors, the petition must be signed by at least 37.5% of them
  2. for an area with between 500 and 2,500 local electors, the petition must be signed by at least 187 of the electors
  3. for an area with more than 2,500 local electors, the petition must be signed by at least 7.5% of them.

Who will undertake this review?

As the principal authority, Swale Borough Council is responsible for undertaking a Community Governance Review in its electoral area and must follow the statutory guidance. The full Council is responsible for overseeing this process and for agreeing the terms of reference, and draft and final recommendations.

How long does a Community Governance Review take?

Legislation requires Community Governance Reviews to be completed within a year from receiving the petition, so for this review the deadline is August 2018. Public consultation will start on 8 January 2018 and a report will be considered by the council in March 2018.

When would any changes come into force?

On the same day as the next scheduled normal parish and town council elections. For Swale that is Thursday 2 May 2019.

Why undertake a Community Governance Review?

The review has been triggered by a petition asking for a review to be undertaken by the council, and the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 places a duty on principal councils to respond to such a petition. Sections 39-43 of the Act set out prescriptive criteria, which the petition must meet in order to be legally valid. The objective of undertaking a community governance review is to ensure that local governance will continue to be effective and convenient, and will reflect the identities and interests of local communities.

Why do some areas of Swale have a parish or town council, but others do not?

The answer is largely historical. Prior to local government reorganisation in 1974, most urban areas of England had an Urban District Council serving a single town – e.g. Sittingbourne and Sheerness Urban District Councils. Since its creation in 1974, Swale Borough Council, in common with many Borough and District councils, has governed a larger area than its predecessors. While some of the local councils in urban areas, e.g. Faversham and Queenborough Town Councils, and the parish councils in the rural areas, have continued to exist following reorganisation in the 1970s, other councils, such as the Urban District Councils, were subsumed into the larger Borough Council.

Is the creation of new parish/town councils the only option in areas which don’t currently have one?

No. A review will also explore whether alternative forms of local governance would be more suitable for an area including:

  • area committees
  • neighbourhood management programmes
  • tenant management organisations
  • area or community forums
  • residents and tenants associations
  • community associations

What must Swale Borough Council take into account when undertaking a Community Governance Review?

Swale Borough Council is required to take into account:

  • the impact of existing community governance arrangements on community cohesion and
  • the size, population and boundaries of any local community or proposed parish or town Council.

In carrying out a Community Governance Review, Swale Borough Council must also consider the wider picture of community governance. This includes taking account of well-established forms of community governance such as local residents associations and community forums. These can be considered as either alternatives to or stages towards establishing parish or town councils. Guidance does, however, indicate that parish and town councils are set apart from these other kinds of governance by the fact that they are a democratically elected tier of local government and can set a budget and possess specific powers.

What are the criteria by which options for the future will be judged?

Government guidance indicates that characteristics of good community governance to be considered in assessing the options when undertaking such a review include:

  • a sense of civic pride and civic values
  • a strong, inclusive community and voluntary sector
  • a sense of place - with a positive feeling for people and local distinctiveness
  • effective engagement with the local community at neighbourhood level
  • strong leadership
  • the ability of local authorities to deliver quality services economically and efficiently
  • an area that is of a size that is viable as an administrative unit of local government.

Local people might consider these characteristics when submitting their views.

What will the Community Governance Review consider?

The review will consider whether there should be a Town Council for Sheerness.

Who will Swale Borough Council consult with?

Before making any recommendations or publishing final proposals, the Council will take full account of the views of local people. The Council will comply with the statutory consultative requirements by:
consulting local government electors within the area under review
consulting any other person or body (including a local authority) which appears to the Council to have an interest in the Community Governance Review (e.g. Kent County Council)
taking into account any representations received in connection with the Community Governance Review.

Is there a difference between a town and parish council?

No, they both have the same statutory powers and can provide the same services. The only differences are that a town council has decided that it should be known as a town council instead of a parish council, and a town council usually has a Mayor.

How are town and parish councils funded?

Town and parish councils are funded through a sum of money called a ‘precept’ – this is a separate charge which is added to, and collected along with, your existing Council Tax. The town or parish council will decide what it will need for the coming year and that depends on what services and facilities are needed by the local community.
Town and parish councils can also apply for grants and loans. As the precept will depend on the size of the town or parish council, the services it provides and the number of properties across which it is spread, it is not possible to say how much a precept would be for an area which does not currently have a town or parish council. Current precepts can be viewed in the terms of reference.

What does a town or parish council do?

A town or parish council has statutory powers which could include services, over and above those already provided by Swale Borough Council.

How many town or parish councillors would there be?

If it is agreed to establish a town or parish council, one of the issues that will need to be decided is how many councillors will be elected. Town or parish councillors can be elected to represent the whole of the parish area or smaller neighbourhoods within the area, called wards. Any councillors elected to the town or parish council would be in addition to the existing local ward councillors who are members of Swale Borough Council. It is possible for the same people to be elected to the borough council and a town or parish council.

Are town or parish councillors paid an allowance?

Parish and Town councillors are not usually paid an allowance, but may incur costs which can be reimbursed.

Faversham Town Council Abbey Ward election

An election is due to be held for Faversham Town Council Abbey Ward.

You can download the:

Faversham Town Council Watling Ward election

An election is due to be held for Faversham Town Council Watling Ward.

You can download the:

Abbey ward by-election

Following the resignation of Cllr Chris Williams, a by-election will be held, for the Abbey ward of Swale Borough Council, on Thursday 14 December 2023.

You can download the:

Minster Cliffs ward by-election

Following the passing of Cllr Ken Ingleton, a by-election will be held, for the Minster Cliffs ward of Swale Borough Council, on Thursday 14 September 2023.

You can download the:

Bobbing, Hartlip and Tunstall Parish Councils

There will be further parish council elections at Bobbing, Hartlip and Tunstall Parish Councils.

There were not enough nominations from the 4 May 2023 elections to make these parish councils quorate, so elections have to be re-run for the remaining vacancies. If contested, the elections will be held on Thursday 29 June, 2023.

You can download the results of the uncontested elections for:

There were no nominations for Tunstall Parish Council received by the deadline of 4pm on Friday 2 June, 2023. Therefore Tunstall Parish Council remains inquorate.

You can download the notices of election here:

Swale Borough Council Local Elections

An election was held on 4 May, 2023 for 24 wards in Swale.

You can see the results of the Swale Borough Council elections online or download the Results Sheets.

Parish and Town Council Elections

Parish and Town Council elections were held on 4 May, 2023.

You can see the results of the parish and town council elections online or download the Results Sheets.

Kent County Council  By-Election for Sheppey

A By-Election was held for the Kent County Council Sheppey Division on 4 May, 2023.

You can see the results of the Kent County Council elections online or download the Results Sheet.

Boughton and Dunkirk Neighbourhood Plan

The Council agreed to proceed to a referendum on the Boughton and Dunkirk Neighbourhood Plan on 30 November 2022.

The referendum was held on Thursday 16 February, 2023.

Leysdown Parish Council By-election

A by-election will be held on Thursday 9 December, 2021 for two parish councillors for Leysdown Parish Council.

Election notices

You can download the:

Priory Ward By-election

A by-election was held on Thursday 30 September, 2021 following the resignation of Councillor Benjamin Martin in the office of Borough Councillor for the Priory Ward of the Borough of Swale.

Election notices

You can download the:

Kent County Council elections

The following Kent County Council elections took place on Thursday 6 May, 2021:

  • Faversham, 1 vacant seat
  • Sheppey, 2 vacant seats
  • Sittingbourne North, 1 vacant seat
  • Sittingbourne South, 1 vacant seat
  • Swale East, 1 vacant seat
  • Swale West, 1 vacant seat

You can download the:

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner

The Kent Police and Crime Commissioner election took place on Thursday, 6 May 2021.

You can view the Statement or Persons Nominated, which lists the candidates, and the Notice of Election Agents on Dartford Borough Council's website.

You can download the:

Swale Borough Council – Sheerness Ward by-election

A Swale Borough Council by-election took place for Sheerness Ward on Thursday, 6 May 2021.

You can download the results of the Sheerness Borough Council Sheerness ward by-election (PDF 15KB)

Town and Parish Council by-elections

The following town and council by-elections took place on Thursday, 6 May 2021:

  • Faversham Town Council (Abbey ward)
  • Faversham Town Council (Priory ward)
  • Faversham Town Council (Watling ward)

You can download the:

A by-election for Warden Parish Council was uncontested, and you can download the result (PDF 88kb).

December 2019 general election

A general election was held on Thursday 12 December, 2019.

23 May European Parliamentary election

A European Parliamentary election was held on Thursday 23 May, 2019.

2 May borough council elections

Borough council elections were held on Thursday, 2 May 2019.

  • Centre Progressive, no seats
  • Conservative, 16 seats
  • Green Party, 2 seats
  • Independent, 2 seats
  • Labour, 11 seats
  • Labour and Co-op, no seats
  • Liberal Democrats, 5 seats
  • Swale Independents, 10 seats
  • The Official Monster Raving Looney Party, no seats
  • UKIP, 1 seat

You can download declarations of the results including all 24 wards.

2 May parish and town council elections

Parish and Town Council elections were held on Thursday, 2 May 2019.

For more information about the 2 May 2019 parish and town council elections, including deadlines for registering to vote, you can visit the parish and town council elections page.

2 May Kent County Council by-election

A Kent County Council by-election was held on Thursday 2 May, 2019 for the Sittingbourne North county division, which covers Chalkwell, Kemsley, Milton Regis and Murston wards.

Selling Parish Council by-election

A by-election for Selling Parish Council was held on Thursday 15 November 2018. You can download the Declaration of the result (PDF 10kb).

You can read the Notice of Election here.

You can read the statement of persons nominated here (PDF 11kb).

Sheppey East Borough Ward by-election results are now available to download.

The deadline for nominations for Sheppey East Borough Ward has now passed. For more information on the nominations, you can read the Appointment of Election Agents, Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll.

Milton Regis by-election

An election was held for a Borough Councillor for the Milton Regis Ward on Thursday, 3 August 2017.

Results

You can download the Declaration of result of poll for Milton Regis Ward.

General Election

A general election took place on Thursday, 8 June 2017.

Results

You can download the Declaration of result of poll for the general election.

Selling Parish Council

The Selling Parish Council election was held on Friday, 2 June 2017.

Results

The Selling Parish Council election was uncontested and you can view the result here.

Kent County Council elections

Elections for Kent County councillors took place on Thursday, 4 May 2017.

Results

The results for the Kent County Council elections are available on the Kent County Council website.

Faversham Creek Neighbourhood Plan referendum

The Faversham Creek Neighbourhood Plan referendum took place on Thursday, 4 May 2017.

The Faversham Creek Neighbourhood Plan referendum asked the question "Do you want Swale Borough Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Faversham Creek to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?".

Results

In favour: 5,418 (88%)
Not in favour: 706 (12%)

Faversham Town Council By-election

The Election of a Town Councillor for the Abbey Ward seat on Faversham Town Council took place on Thursday, 19 January 2017.

Results

You can download the Declaration of result of poll for Faversham Town Council - Abbey Ward

Leysdown Parish By-election

The Election for the election of a Parish Councillor for Leysdown Parish Council was held on Thursday, 21 July 2016.

You can download the Declaration of result of poll for the Leysdown Parish by-election.

EU Referendum

The referendum on whether the UK should stay in or leave the European Union took place on Thursday, 23 June 2016.

Results

There were 75,913 votes cast in Swale for the referendum from a total of 102,209 eligible electors, which represents a 74.27% turnout. There were 44 spoilt ballot papers.

The result for Swale were:

  • Remain in the EU - 28,481
  • Leave the EU - 47,388

Police and Crime Commissioner

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent Police election as held on Thursday, 5 May 2016.

Results

Matthew Richard Scott has been elected to serve as Police and Crime Commissioner for the Kent police area.

You can view the Kent count results on the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Election website.

Warden Parish Council election

A poll for the above election on Thursday, 25 June 2015 between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

Bapchild and Stalisfield Parish Council elections

Bapchild and Stalisfield Parish council elections were uncontested and the results were as follows:

UK Parliamentary Elections

There are two Parliamentary constituencies in Swale: Sittingbourne and Sheppey, and Faversham and Mid Kent.

The count for the Parliamentary elections happened overnight on 7 May 2015.

The count for the Sittingbourne and Sheppey constituency was overseen by Swale Borough Council.

As only part of the Faversham and Mid Kent constituency falls within Swale, the count for this seat was managed by Maidstone Council.

Borough Elections

There are 24 wards across the Borough, which will elect the 47 councillors to sit on Swale Borough Council.

The count for the Borough elections happened on 8 May 2015.

Town and Parish elections

Elections also took place in areas of the Borough with Town and Parish Councils.

The count for the Parish and Town elections happened on 8 May 2015.

EU Parliamentary Elections 2014

Sittingbourne is part of the South East Region for European Elections. The regional office for the South East Region is based in Southampton.

An election was held on 22 May.

Further information about these elections can be viewed on The Electoral Commission website.

To view the results by country, visit the European Parliament's website.

You can download the:

Referendum on the voting system for UK parliamentary elections, 5 May 2011

As the Counting Officer for Borough of Swale Borough Council at the referendum held on 5 May 2011 under the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011, I hereby give notice that I have certified the following to the Chief Counting Officer:

Results

  • The number of votes cast in favour of YES was 9634
  • The number of votes cast in favour of NO was 28948

The number of ballot papers rejected was as follows:

  • no official mark 0
  • voting for both answers to the question asked 11
  • writing or mark by which the voter could be identified 4
  • unmarked or void for uncertainty 154
  • Total rejected 169

Related pages

Previous Upcoming elections and referendums

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