By-election to be held in Newquay following death of long serving councillor

A by-election is to be held in Newquay following the death of Cornwall councillor Kevin Towill.

Cornwall Council has issued a Notice of Election for the Newquay Porth and Tretherras electoral division, with voters due to go to the polls on Thursday 23 April.

Mr Towill died in February at the age of 46.

He had served as both a town councillor and a Cornwall councillor, having first been elected as a Conservative in 2017. He later defected to Reform UK and was re-elected to represent the Newquay Tretherras and Porth division.

In recent years, he continued his work for residents while undergoing major surgery and rehabilitation after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The council said one councillor will be elected for the division.

Nomination papers can be obtained from the deputy returning officer at County Hall in Truro and must be submitted in person by 16:00 GMT on Wednesday 25 March.

If the election is contested, polling will take place on 23 April.

Applications to register to vote must be received by midnight on Tuesday 7 April. Applications for postal votes must be submitted by 17:00 on Wednesday 8 April, while proxy vote applications close at 17:00 on Wednesday 15 April.

Voter ID applications must also be completed by 17:00 on 15 April.

Further information on how to register or apply for postal or proxy voting is available on the UK government website.