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Uplyme Parish Council is calling on local people to represent their local community at the forthcoming Local Elections. Women and younger people are especially under-represented at present.

Why not speak to a current Councillor to find out what the Council does, who the Councillors are, and what is involved in being a Councillor? Or you can get a good idea of some of the things it does by looking at these pages: What a councillor does, and Who does what.

The Clerk, Lois Wakeman, says: “Some people may think their opinions don’t count, or that local action won’t make any difference, but that’s not true. In fact, with the cuts at District and County Council level, the Parish Council will be more and more important in delivering local services like keeping the roads and footpaths tidy, so if you care about your community, this is a chance to help shape what happens in the future.

Voting is also an important way of having your say on the issues you care about and in choosing who will take decisions on your behalf. From the right to make representations on planning applications, the neighbourhood plan, and pushing for flood remediation works, to the state of footpaths, drainage and council-owned land, the Parish Council has a wide range of ever-increasing responsibilities and duties. It makes decisions which affect your everyday life”.

Lois continues: “Although many of the current Councillors may choose to stand for re-election, there will be a need for new people to come forward and help keep Uplyme a special place to live. I have a limited number of nomination packs available and can get more if you are seriously interested in becoming a Councillor. These must be completed and taken to the EDDC Offices in Sidmouth between the 31st March and the 9th April, so don’t leave it too late!”

You can contact the Clerk on 01297 444707 during office hours, or email her at clerk@uplymeparishcouncil.org for more information.

Other news items regarding the election: