THE search is on for West Somerset candidates to stand for election in May to join Somerset’s new unitary council set-up at county or local level - and nominations close in only nine weeks.

A government spokesman said: "The creation of a new, unitary council in April 2023 - the first major change to the way Somerset is governed in almost 50 years - will shape the county for decades.

"New councillors will have more power to drive the changes people want, whether standing for their county, or more locally in town and parish council elections.

"Town and parish councils will play a bigger part in making sure that Somerset’s services are the best they can be. More powers will be devolved, and grass roots councils will be given the chance to take on greater responsibilities."

Nominations can be submitted to the appropriate district council office from March 22 and close at 4pm on April 5 for the elections taking place on May 5 at county, town and parish council levels.

For the county, 110 councillors will be elected who will serve a five-year term. For their first year, the councillors will take responsibility for all current county council services and oversee the local government reorganisation to establish a single unitary council on April 1, 2023.

District councils will remain until March 31, 2023. From the next day, the 110 councillors of the unitary council will be responsible for services that are currently delivered by the county and four district authorities, including Somerset West and Taunton Council.

Town and parish council elections also take place on May 5, and successful candidates will serve a five-year term.

Anyone interested in standing for election, at county, town and parish level should visit:

* https://www.somerset.gov.uk/how-the-council-works/elections/

* https://www.local.gov.uk/be-councillor

nhttps://www.nalc.gov.uk/our-work/local-elections

Elections for Somerset County Council had been scheduled for May 2021 but were postponed for a year while consultations took place on unitary authority proposals.