Honiton residents are being encouraged to get involved with the community at town council level, with local elections on the horizon.

There are currently 11 vacant seats at Honiton Town Council, and providing coronavirus restrictions don't push things back again, elections are scheduled to take place in May 2021.

Honiton Forward, a non-political organisation working for the community, wants to help potential candidates become involved.

A group of experts will equip anyone who wants to make Honiton a great place to live and work with the information, training and support needed to stand for election and thrive in the council environment.

Candidates would stand as Honiton Independents for the community and agree an achievable list of community benefits that they want to deliver while in office.

A spokesperson for Honiton Forward said: "In May there is an election due for at least 11 Honiton Town Council seats.

"We hope all 18 seats might be up for election if the Community Governance review has concluded, or the remaining councillors respond to the community's repeated requests to facilitate it.

"What is certain is that Honiton will need a lot of new councillors in the next couple of years and Honiton Forward wants to help community minded candidates to prepare."

Between now and the election, Honiton Forward hopes to work with a group of at least 20 people who are interested in representing their community and being part of running the town council.

"We will explain what the council is about and how it runs," they continued.

"We will also help you to prepare for election and show how being a councillor can be a pleasure, not a chore and how you can get things done for the community with a minimum of fuss.

"The council should be a positive and enjoyable environment where everyone knows what is going on, the rules are clear and simple and the community is consulted and involved."

We hope to start work soon and a number of people have already registered their interest in stepping up as candidates.

To be eligible you must be over the age of 18 and have lived or worked or owned a property in Honiton, or within three miles of the town boundary, within 12 months prior to the election.

If you would like to join them please email us at [email protected] giving your contact details and a sentence or two about why you would like to stand.