By-election for Cottenham ward

A by-election for the role of South Cambridgeshire District Councillor for Cottenham and Rampton will take place on Thursday 16 March.

The by-election follows the recent passing of Dr. John Loveluck, who served as one of the two District Councillors for Cottenham ward.

Cottenham ward covers the villages of Cottenham and Rampton.

Whoever is elected on 16 March will represent the ward until May 2026, when all the seats on South Cambridgeshire District Council will be up for election again.

Anyone interested in standing for election is urged to visit the Electoral Commission's website where they will be able to download and print a nomination form.

Nomination forms must be handed in to the Council’s Cambourne offices between 9am and 4pm on any working day from Thursday 9 February, but by 4pm on Friday 17 February.

Candidates must be aged 18 or over and be British or a citizen of a member country of the European Union or Commonwealth. They must either be registered to vote in South Cambridgeshire, have either lived or worked in the district for the whole of the last 12 months, or have been the owner or tenant of a home in the district for at least one year.

Nomination papers are also available from South Cambridgeshire District Council’s elections team on elections@scambs.gov.uk or 01954 713 000. More information about the poll can be found on our website. 

Anyone interested in standing for election for a political party must contact the party’s local office directly.

Anyone not registered to vote must do so by Tuesday 28 February if they want to vote in the by-election.

Postal votes can be applied for until 5pm on Wednesday 1 March and proxy votes by 5pm on Wednesday 8 March.

For more information about registering to vote, postal and proxy votes, visit our website.

Local Returning Officer and South Cambridgeshire District Council Chief Executive, Liz Watts, said: “District councillors work hard to represent the views of their communities. It is a straightforward process to stand for election, so if you want to know more, please get in touch as soon as possible. Nomination papers must be accurately completed to be accepted, so don’t risk leaving it until the last minute. If you live in the parishes of Cottenham and Rampton, please also ensure that you are registered to vote if you want to be able to have your say in this by-election."

From May 2023, voters will be required to show photo ID in polling stations before being allowed to vote. However, because this by-election takes place before May, ID will not be required to vote.