Another 500 postal ballots were checked today for Nevilles Cross.

That means over 60% of eligible postal ballots have now arrived which is an outstanding effort from the Nevilles Cross community, but it still leaves over 600 voters who I urge to vote.

You asked for the postal vote, it has (eventually) been delivered, so please do not waste your vote, the work of so many who have pushed to get the postal votes to you, and those standing by to help ensure your vote is counted.

But, in the rush to return, PLEASE TAKE CARE.

It is very sad to report that once again 3.4% of all Nevilles Cross postal ballots returned today had to be rejected on grounds of voting statement errors (no signature, no date) on envelope A.

Please remember to have your postal vote counted, you must sign the postal voting statement and YOUR DATE OF BIRTH in the boxes provided, not just cast your votes on the ballot papers, and post those back in envelope B.

I WANT TO VOTE. DO I STILL HAVE TIME WITH A POSTAL VOTE?

There is still time!

Anyone without any of their FOUR POSTAL BALLOT PAPERS (County Council, Parish Council, Crime Commissioner and Referendum) can request an emergency replacement is issued to them until 1700 ON THURSDAY 6TH MAY 2021.

Replacement ballot papers should be requested by contacting Durham County Council Electoral Services at 03000 261 212 or electoralservices@durham.gov.uk

Posting via Royal Mail on Wednesday evening would now be a very tight process, if the council believe it is still technically possible as Royal Mail are clearly looking out for the postal ballot returns.

However, if you have taken the time to vote, and want confidence it will count, then I recommend you hand in the completed postal vote at ANY Durham County Council polling station on Thursday 6th May (between the hours of 0700-2159), with your Nevilles Cross ward polling stations located at:

St Leonard`s Catholic School (4691), Court Yard Room (CY 1), North End

The Spiritualist Church Hall (Durham), John Street

St Johns Church Hall (Nevilles Cross), Crossgate Peth, Nevilles Cross

St Johns Church Hall (Nevilles Cross), Crossgate Peth, Nevilles Cross

The Hub, Durham University, The Approach, Durham

St Oswalds Institute, Church Street

Remember if you work outside of Nevilles Cross, but close to another Durham County Council election divisions Polling Station, then you are can still hand in your sealed Nevilles Cross postal vote return there.

It will noted by the polling station staff that they have a sealed one for another division and it will be diverted at the verification process to Nevilles Cross’ counting staff so be assured if you make the effort to return the postal ballot on time, the staff will ensure it is counted.