In exactly a month residents across the conurbation will go the polls with all councillors’ seats on BCP Council up for grabs.

A total of 230 local authorities across the country are holding contests on Thursday, May 4, ranging from small rural councils to some of the largest towns and cities.

Following the inaugural BCP Council elections in 2019, 76 seats across 33 wards in the three towns will be filled once residents have cast their votes.

The results are expected to be declared ward by ward on Friday, May 5, following the counting process.

Bournemouth Echo:

What happened last time and what has changed since then?

Four years ago the Conservatives won the most seats with 36, however, they were three short of a majority leading to the Unity Alliance administration involving multiple groups taking control of the council.

The Liberal Democrats gained 15 seats and there were 11 Independent councillors, many part of the Christchurch Independents.

Poole People had seven councillors, Labour had three councillors and the Greens had two sets, with Ukip and the Alliance for Local Living gaining one seat, respectively.

Through several by-elections and councillors changing allegiances, the current political composition of the council is somewhat different from 2019.

The Tories have been running the council with a minority administration and 35 councillors.

The rest of the seats are taken up by the following political groupings: Liberal Democrats (13), Christchurch Independents (seven), Poole Engage (five), Poole Independents (five), Bournemouth Independent and Green (four), unaligned (four) and Labour (three).

When will we know who is standing for election?

Candidate lists for each ward are expected to be released later this week.

However, several senior councillors have already confirmed they will not be standing for re-election. Former Conservative council leader Drew Mellor will not be standing.

Tory cabinet members Mike and Nicola Greene will not be on the ballot list, while Parkstone Conservative councillor Ann Stribley is bringing an end to more than 40 years as an elected representative.

Liberal Democrat Mike Brooke, who represents Broadstone, announced his retirement at the end of the current term back in November.

Bournemouth Echo:

Are any other council elections happening in Dorset?

There are also due to be further ballots on May 4 for residents in Christchurch.

Burton and Winkton Parish Council needs to appoint 10 councillors, while Hurn Parish Council has six seats to fill.

All wards of Christchurch Town Council and Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council will be open and put to the vote subject to the number of candidates.

There are no Dorset Council elections next month.

A warning about voter ID...

Polling cards have started dropping through residents’ letter boxes and local authorities are urging people to remember they will need photo ID to vote.

Anyone without a valid form of ID has until April 25 to apply for a voter authority certificate from the government. To apply they must be registered by April 17. For more information visit voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk