Voting

The City Council has 52 Councillors, representing 22 different areas called wards. Thirteen wards have three Councillors; the other nine being represented by either one or two Councillors. All Councillors are elected to serve for a period of four years but may resign from the Council at any time. They may also stand for re-election when their term of office expires.

About one third of the total number of Councillors retires each year when either 17 or 18 seats are up for election, except every fourth year when Cumbria County Council elections take place. (County Councillors also serve for four years but all retire at the same time. The next County elections are in 2009)

Parish Council elections follow the cycle of elections in the rural wards of the City.

Parliamentary general elections must be held at least once every five years. The last general election was in May 2005. Elections to the European Parliament take place every five years - the next European elections will be in 2009.

The regular City, County and Parish Council elections are held on the first Thursday in May. By-elections may also take place at any time to fill casual vacancies that may arise e.g. following the resignation of a Councillor.

Elections 1st May 2008

Elections were held in the following 17 wards of the City on Thursday, 1st May 2008 (one Councillor to be elected in each ward):

Belah, Belle Vue, Botcherby, Brampton, Castle, Currock, Dalston, Denton Holme, Great Corby & Geltsdale, Harraby, Hayton, Morton, St Aidans, Stanwix Urban, Upperby, Wetheral and Yewdale.

Parishes elections also took place in the following parishes on the same day:

Brampton, Carlatton & Cumrew, Castle Carrock, Cumwhitton, Hayton and Wetheral.