Royal Mail strikes - residents advised to arrange their postal votes in time for upcoming referendum

The Counting Officer for Wiltshire is advising residents to send their postal votes back for an upcoming Neighbourhood Plan Referendum as soon as possible, due to planned Royal Mail strike action.

On 13 October 2022, the Laverstock and Ford Communities Neighbourhood Plan Referendum is due to take place. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has asked its members who collect, sort, and deliver parcels and letters to take strike action on 13 October, which means no postal votes will be delivered on the day of the Laverstock and Ford Communities Neighbourhood Plan Referendum.

To avoid missing out, those who wish to vote in the referendum and haven't done so already, are strongly advised to send any postal votes back as soon as possible, or hand deliver them to the polling stations on polling day (13 October) by 10pm. The polling stations are:

• Hampton Park Pavilion (Community Centre, Ash Crescent, SP1 3GY
• Laverstock & Ford Sports Club, 23 Church Road, Laverstock, SP1 1QX
• Old Sarum Community Centre (opposite school), Pheasant Drive, SP4 6GH

Terence Herbert, Counting Officer for Wiltshire, said: "It's vital that we have a strong, functioning democratic process and we want to ensure residents have their vote counted in the upcoming referendum.

"Therefore, I strongly advise anyone who is planning to vote to get their postal votes back in plenty of time to avoid any issues. Polls will close at 10pm on the day of the referendum so people can also hand deliver their postal votes at the designated polling stations on that day and they will be counted.

"We hope this doesn't cause too much inconvenience for residents."

More information about the Referendum on the Laverstock and Ford Communities Neighbourhood Plan can be found at Laverstock and Ford Neighbourhood Plan Referendum.

Any updates on Royal Mail Strike Action can be found at Royal Mail strike information.