EU Citizens can register to vote

There are local elections on 6 May 2021 to elect councillors to Wiltshire Council and Trowbridge Town Council. There is also an election for Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner. This leaflet provides information about the elections, the councils and the Liberal Democrats party.

Who can vote in the elections?

Anyone can vote who is:

• 18 years old or over
• an EU citizen resident in the UK
• or a qualifying Commonwealth citizen resident in the UK

How do I register to vote?

• Go to: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and scroll down to 'Start now'.
• You need to fill in details such as name, date of birth, nationality etc.
• You'll be asked for your National Insurance number (but you can still register if you do not have one).
• After you've registered, your name and address will appear on the electoral register.
• The last day you can register is Monday 19 April.
• You should then receive a card telling you where you can vote on 6 May.
• If you have any problem, call the Wiltshire Electoral Services team on 0300 456 0112.

Why should I vote?

• It gives you the chance to choose who runs the councils that provide services like care for elderly and vulnerable people, transport, street cleaning, leisure, planning and youth services.

What does Wiltshire Council do?

Wiltshire Council is responsible for services such as:

• Adult and Children's social services - looking after elderly and vulnerable people;
• Highways - maintaining roads, pavements and footpaths;
• Planning and development - deciding what should be built and where;
• Education and youth services - most schools are academies that get funds from central government, but Wiltshire has responsibility to promote the wellbeing of all children, provide youth services and support children with special needs and disabilities;
• Waste collection and disposal (emptying the bins);
• Leisure centres and libraries.

At the moment, Wiltshire Council has a Conservative majority.

What does Trowbridge Town Council do?

• Trowbridge Town Council is responsible for services such as:
  • The Town Park; children's play areas; recreation grounds; and allotments;
  • The Museum; The Civic Centre; Community Centres

At the moment, Liberal Democrats are the largest party on Trowbridge Council.

What does the Police and Crime Commissioner do?

• The Police and Crime Commissioner is elected to make sure that local police meet the needs of the community. Commissioners draw up plans for police activities and hold the fund from which the police are financed.

About the Liberal Democrats: Our constitution says: "The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society…. We believe that the role of the state is to enable all citizens to contribute fully to their communities and to take part in the decisions which affect their lives." In local councils we aim to provide high-quality services that enable people to make the most of their abilities and live fulfilling lives in a safe and clean environment. In 2016, we campaigned for the UK to stay in the EU.

In Trowbridge, the Lib Dem-led Town Council has invested to make the Civic Centre a great venue for concerts and community activities as well as providing sports facilities and play areas. We've promoted 'Active Trowbridge' to offer sports and activities for all ages. We've improved the Museum, supported markets and campaigned to protect green spaces.

If our candidates are elected to run the council from May, our future plans include improving the town centre with a £16m government grant we helped to win and providing all-weather sports pitches at Doric Park.

In Wiltshire, the Lib Dem group forced the Conservative-led council to declare that climate change is an 'emergency' and stopped outdoor education centres being closed. If we take over the council in May, we will be much bolder than the Conservatives.

• We will launch an 'acting early' programme so every child has the best start in life.
• We will improve care by enabling residents with caring experience to care for others.
• We will work to improve bus services and promote cycling.
• We will improve planning to avoid badly designed estates and instead create real communities with shops, schools and high quality facilities.
• We will make Wiltshire a green leader. We are committed to a cleaner, greener environment and will promote solar power, tree planting, better air quality and zero-carbon housing.