A TOTAL of 33 people have thrown their hats into the ring and are seeking election to be the first nine Craven members of the new North Yorkshire Council which comes into being in just less than a year's time.

The nine winners of the May 5 election will serve as county councillors for the last year of North Yorkshire County Council, and then for the first four years of North Yorkshire Council, which will replace the current system of county, district and borough councils in the county from April 1, 2023.

Of the 33 candidates, 13 are sitting members of Craven District Council and will continue to serve on the district council until it ceases to exist on March 31 next year, whatever the outcome of the election. Six candidates already occupy seats on the county council, in addition to the district council, and are seeking re-election.

There are nine Conservative Party candidates, seven Greens, six Labour, five Liberal Democrat, five Independents and one standing for the Yorkshire Party, in Skipton North, Embsay with Eastby.

They will be fighting for just one seat on the nine divisions of the new council. All divisions are contested by at least two candidates, with the most, five candidates standing in Skipton East and South and also in Skipton North, Embsay with Eastby.

Elections to Craven's town and parish councils also take place on May 5, but in only four areas will people go to the polls, the remaining councils are uncontested and councillors will automatically be re-elected on election day.

There will be elections to parish councils in Coniston Cold, Linton and Long Preston, and also in three of the four wards of Skipton Town Council.

Those standing in Craven for North Yorkshire County Council are:

Aire Valley: Andy Brown, (Green Party); Stuart Handley, (Conservative Party).

Bentham and Ingleton: David Ireton (Conservative Party); Lewis Gareth Morgan (Labour Party); John Michael Smithson (Liberal Democrat); Anne Weinhold (Green Party).

Glusburn, Cross Hills and Sutton-in-Craven: Philip Barrett (Independent): Fran Graham (Green Party); Andy Micklethwaite (Conservative Party); Christopher Thorp (Labour Party).

Mid Craven: Simon Myers (Conservative Party); Simon James Watkins (Green Party).

Settle and Penyghent: Luke Allan (Liberal Democrat); Aidan David Higgins (Labour Party); David Staveley (Conservative Party).

Skipton East and South: Robert Heseltine (Independent); Rick Judge (Independent); Brian McDaid (Labour Party); Heather Laura Midwinter (Conservative Party); Kate Ward (Liberal Democrat).

Skipton North and Embsay with Eastby: John Dawson (Conservative Party); David Noland (Green Party); Brian Shuttleworth (Independent); Phil Street (The Yorkshire Party); Michelle Denise Winthrop (Liberal Democrat).

Skipton West and West Craven: Peter Madeley (Labour Party); Patrick Mulligan (Conservative Party); Claire Nash (Green Party); Andy Solloway (Independent).

Wharfedale: Richard Foster (Conservative Party); Chris Rose (Labour Party); Tony Serjeant (Green Party); Sian Elizabeth Wheal (Liberal Democrat).

The nine winning councillors will serve the final year of North Yorkshire County Council, then the first four years of the new single council for the county, which will be made up of 90 councillors from across the county representing 89 divisions.

They will shape what public services will look like ahead of the new North Yorkshire Council’s first day on April 1 2023, making decisions that affect everyone living and working in Craven and across he whole of North Yorkshire.

Richard Flinton, county returning officer and chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, said: “This election is particularly significant. The people elected in May by the voters of North Yorkshire will shape the vision and value of the new North Yorkshire Council from its beginning.

“That is why it is so important that if you will be eligible to vote on May 5 you make sure that you are registered to do so.”

To vote on May 5 you must be on the electoral register by Thursday, 14 April, 2022. If you will be 18 or over on polling day, make sure you are registered to vote at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

You can get help with electoral registration from Craven District Council. It can tell you if you are on the electoral register, or if you have registered for a postal or proxy vote.

People registered to vote in Craven should have received a polling card or letter by the end of March.

To find out more about the election in Craven, go to: https://www.cravendc.gov.uk/

The count will take place at Skipton Town Hall on Friday, May 6, as well as other locations across the county.