Councils across England and Northern Ireland are preparing for the local elections this May. Most of the seats up for election in England on Thursday May 5 were last contested in May 2019.
More than 230 local authorities are holding elections in May, with around two thirds of the country going to the polls. It will also be the first time that photo ID is required for all voters at all local elections.
The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales, is also urging people to treat polling station staff with "patience and respect" as they implement the new changes. READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community The political landscape of the UK has undergone huge changes in the past four years - including three new Prime Ministers.
Yet many of the issues that can decide local elections remain the same, such as when bins are collected, the state of neighbourhood parks and pavements, and access to libraries and hospitals.
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