Dear Members,

We have received two nominations from Group Leaders for the election of the Mayor for the 2025/26 municipal year.

As the election of the Mayor is contested, a poll will therefore be conducted on behalf of the Managing Director, in accordance with Mayoral protocol.

Members can view a copy of a combined election notice here, including:

• Notice of poll, detailing the dates, times and places for voting; and,
• Statement of Persons Nominated, detailing the candidates who are validly nominated in this election.

Group Leaders and candidates may attend the Electoral Services Office at 10:00am on the first polling day (Thursday 14 November) to witness the sealing of the ballot box, and may record the seal number if they wish.

The ballot box will remain in the custody of a Presiding Officer during polling hours at the locations stated within the attached notice. The ballot box will otherwise be sealed and stored in a secure location until the votes are counted on Thursday 21^st November in the Executive Meeting Room, which will be open for all Members to attend and observe, as set out within the attached notice.

The Presiding Officers will be appointed from the Electoral and Democratic Services teams.

The result will be announced publicly at the Full Council meeting on 28 November.