VOTERS will head to the polls next week after the area’s newly-elected MP stood down from her councillor role.

Thornbury and Yate MP Claire Young announced her resignation in October as a ward councillor for Frampton Cotterell on South Gloucestershire Council

This decision from Ms Young, who was elected MP for the first time in July’s general election, triggered a by-election.

The by-election for the Frampton Cotterell seat is due to take place on Thursday, November 28.

The candidates for the seat are: David Goodwin (Lib Dem), Alan Lankester (Green), Tim Niblett (Conservative) and Jonathan Trollope (Labour). 

Ms Young overturned a 12,369-vote Conservative majority to oust Luke Hall by more than 3,000 votes in the Thornbury & Yate constituency at July’s general election.

She quit as council leader shortly after being elected to Westminster, but remained a councillor on SGC.

Announcing her decision at the time, Ms Young said: “After 17 years, I have decided to step down as Councillor for Frampton Cotterell in order to focus on my work as an MP.

“It’s been a real honour to represent local people on South Gloucestershire Council – and I look forward to keeping fighting for our area in Parliament.”

Frampton Cotterell is a large, three-seat ward. Its other two members are Liberal Democrat Cllrs Tristan Clark and Jon Lean.

In the 2023 local elections, the Lib Dems received 55 per cent of the vote in the ward, ahead of the Conservatives on 38 per cent, with Green and Labour a distant third and fourth respectively.

Polling stations for the by-election includes: Zion United Church Beacon, Crossbow House (Pool Room), Iron Acton Parish Hall, The Codrington Arms, Tytherington Village Hall, Rangeworthy Memorial Hall and the Jubilee Room at Manor Hall.

The stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. 

For more information see the council’s website here - tinyurl.com/3f4rnw26