Local elections will take place on May 5.

But for the residents of Glastonbury these elections will be different from those of previous years. Because this year you will voting not for representatives on your district council – but for representatives on a new Somerset Council that will replace Somerset County Council and the county's four District Councils (Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West & Taunton, and South Somerset). Voters will choose who represents them for the next five years at county and local levels – a term that is longer than usual.

For the first year, the newly elected councillors will be responsible for existing Somerset County Council services and will oversee the creation of a new single Somerset Council. Then from April 1, 2023, when the new Somerset Council comes into being, they will assume responsibility for all council services in Somerset.

The new council will be made up of 110 councillors ¬– 2 for each of the 55 electoral divisions in the county. There are also 275 city, town and parish council elections taking place across the county. These councillors will have an important role to play pioneering new Local Community Networks with power to influence important decisions. They will also have a range of opportunities – if they want – to take control of local assets and services on a cost-neutral basis, such as parks and community centres. Anyone eligible to vote but not already on the electoral register has one week left to put that right – the deadline is midnight on Thursday, April 14. You can do it online by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by contacting your local district council.

Electors still have time to apply for postal or proxy votes. The deadline for postal votes is before 5pm on April 19. Applications for a proxy vote – appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf – must be submitted before 5pm on April 26.

Election facts & figures

• 110 councillors to build a new Somerset Council for April 2023
• 1 new council replacing five at county and district level
• £18.5m freed up each year to fund services for people
• 275 city, town and parish councils to be elected
• 15 – 20 Local Community Networks to be formed with power to influence unitary decisions
• 19 April postal vote deadline
• 500 polling stations helping everyone to vote
• 1200 staff working together – county, districts and volunteers

Your candidates

GLASTONBURY DIVISION

Susannah Clemence: Independent

Nick Cottle: Liberal Democrats

Jon Cousins: Green Party

Susannah Hart: Conservative

Lillith Osborn: Conservative

Adam Sen: Liberal Democrats

Mike Smyth: Green Party

STREET DIVISION

Bryan Beha: Conservative

Simon Carswell: Liberal Democrats

Liz Leyshon: Liberal Democrats

Terry Napper: Conservative

MENDIP SOUTH DIVISION

John Parham: Conservative

Claire Sully: Liberal Democrats

Alex Wiltshire: Liberal Democrats

Nigel Wollcombe-Adams: Conservative

MENDIP WEST DIVISION

Stuart Kingham: Conservative

Heather Shearer: Liberal Democrats

Mandy Thomas-Atkin: Conservative

Ros Wyke: Liberal Democrats