Election candidate's fall death delays vote
The Kendal Green PartyAn election for a new town councillor is to be rearranged after one of the candidates died in a fall.
Phil Clayton had been standing as the Green Party's candidate for the Highgate Ward by-election for Kendal Town Council, which was set to take place on 27 March.
The Kendal Green Party said Mr Clayton had died last week "doing what he loved, scrambling on the Langdale fells".
The party described him as "committed, principled, energetic, focussed and funny" and said he would be missed.
"He was especially concerned about the climate emergency, equality and social justice," a spokesperson said.
"Locally, he focussed on the lack of affordable and green homes in Kendal and the water quality in the Kent catchment, speaking on these issues at hustings and meetings."
Mr Clayton had previously stood as a candidate in the 2024 General Election.
Postal votes cancelled
Deputy returning officer Linda Jones said Mr Clayton's death meant legally the election would have to be postponed.
New polling cards will be sent to affected voters once a date is set.
These will explain how voters can arrange a postal or proxy vote if they cannot make it to the polling station on the new date.
Any postal votes which have already been returned will be sealed, unopened and will no longer count. Those registered for a postal vote will receive a new one.
Candidate nominations will be reopened once a new date is announced.
The existing candidates, Labour's Virginia Branney and Liberal Democrat Tim Martland, will automatically be included on the ballot.
The two other by-elections taking place on 27 March for the Nether Ward of Kendal Town Council and the East Ward of Penrith Town Council will go ahead as planned.