Residents will head to the polls tomorrow to vote on the makeup of Braintree Council for the next four years.

Much has been made of how the ongoing Brexit saga could impact on not only turnout, but the way in which people vote.

Braintree has become something of a Conservative stronghold in recent elections and the party occupies 39 of the 49 seats on the district council.

That however could all change in the next 48 hours if voters take their apparent Brexit-anger out on the Tories - as has been forecast by some.

So without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about polling day, which kicks off from 7am tomorrow.

What do I need to do to vote?

The electorate voting in the Braintree district will need to present either one form of photographic ID or two pieces of non-photographic ID before they are able to cast their vote tomorrow.

This is because the council is one of ten local authorities in the country taking part in a voter ID trial. Forms of ID which will be accepted include:

  • Bus pass
  • Drivers licence
  • Passport
  • Poll card
  • Utility bill
  • Credit/ debit card
  • Bank statement
  • Council tax bill

Those registered to vote will have received a card in the post telling them which polling station to go to. Anyone unsure of their polling station can click here to use this rather helpful online tool. 

Polling stations will close at 10pm.

Who is standing in my ward?

Both the Conservatives and Labour will have candidates standing in each of the 26 wards in the district.

There is a total of 138 candidates standing for election.

Click here to view the full list and find out who will be standing in your ward.

What is each party promising voters?

The Conservatives say they will continue to work on producing a local plan which will outline housing growth for the next 15 years. The party has vowed to work with county Hall to push for improvements to the A12 and A120, while ensuring local paths and roads are maintained.

Gazette:

The Tory’s will also press ahead with plans to create thousands of new jobs at the proposed business park in Great Notley, and create new business units in both Braintree and Witham.

Plans to build new health facilities in Manor Street, Braintree, and in Sible Hedingham will also continue to be worked on under a Conservative council.

Labour meanwhile has vowed to focus on creating more affordable homes across the district and will push for improved infrastructure when large scale developments are put through the planning process.

Gazette:

The party has vowed to push for increased numbers of police officers in the district, as well as explore ways to provide extra health services to residents. There will also be a focus on supporting locally based businesses and tackling the issue of flytipping and littering.

Labour also says it will continue to work with residents over the controversial Rivenhall incinerator, which the party says it has campaigned against for more than three decades.

The Liberal Democrats, who have candidates standing in six wards, have vowed to protect green spaces, particularly in Witham. The party says it will work with community groups seeking to protect the River Walk site, while also ensuring children’s play areas and new green spaces are prioritised by developers buildings new homes. Candidates have also promised to make recycling easier for residents, as well as seek to crackdown on antisocial behaviour. This would be done through increasing funding for extra PCSO’s, offering greater community support and activities to young people, and working closely with Neighbourhood Watch groups.

The Lib Dems have also vowed to oppose all reckless and opportunistic developments.

The Green party, which has candidates standing in 19 wards, is campaigning for a new GP surgery to be built in the north of Witham. It will also push for the town to have its own community hospital or walk in clinic.

Gazette:

Further promises made by the Greens include working with County Hall to improve the district's roads and paths, while also seeking solutions to "parking problems".

One of the party's biggest aspirations is to protect both the environment and natural world from developers, with a particular focus on the River Walk in Witham.

When will the results be announced?

Once polling stations close at 10pm, ballot boxes will be taken to Tabor Academy in Panfield Lane, Braintree, where volunteers will count the votes cast in each ward.

It is expected the winners of each ward will be announced sometime between 3am and 4am on Friday, although that is only an estimate and it could be much later.

You can keep up to date with election night by following our live blog which will kick off shortly before the 10pm deadline.

Gazette:

*Town and parish council elections will also be taking place on Thursday. Votes will be counted between 10am and 1pm on Friday and the results announced later in the afternoon. 

What happened in the last elections?

The local elections in 2015 were jointly run alongside a parliamentary election which was partly why turnout was unusually high. Many wards saw between 60 to 80 per cent of the electorate vote for local candidates. The Conservatives won 44 of the 49 available seats, with Labour claiming two, Halstead Residents Association two and the Green Party one.

By-elections have since been held which has seen Labour claim two further seats. Some councillors have also left the Conservative party since 2015 to become independent which has seen the large majority originally held by the Tories whittled down somewhat to 39.

Gazette: Causeway House, the home of Braintree CouncilCauseway House, the home of Braintree Council

Why should I vote?

A lot of readers will be feeling thoroughly sick of politics having lived through past few years.

Many say they’re so fed up with the whole thing they won’t bother with taking the time to head to the polls today to cast their vote in the local elections.

But it’s worth remembering these elections aren’t necessarily about what’s going in Westminster or Brussels. They’re about what’s going on in Braintree and Witham and Coggeshall and Kelvedon and everywhere in between (and slightly beyond).

This is your chance to have your say about who makes the decisions on things like bins, fly-tipping and, of course, planning.

So don’t let your feelings about Brexit, whatever they are, stop you from having your say on ‘local’ matters.

If you can...

For further information about the elections, visit Braintree Council's website.