WITH the country swamped by General Election fever, people are being reminded not to forget the local elections.

Thirty-nine candidates are standing for 17 seats at the Tory-controlled Cherwell District Council on Thursday, May 6.

These include two seats in Kidlington, one in Bicester, six in Banbury and eight in rural areas.

Among those up for election is council leader Barry Wood, who represents the Fringford ward, and four executive members – the council’s main decision-makers.

These are George Reynolds, Sibford; Norman Bolster, Bicester West; James Macnamara, the Astons and Heyfords, and Kieron Mallon, Banbury Easington.

Two sitting councillors, Simon Holland, Kirtlington, and Timothy Hallchurch, Otmoor, will not face the public vote after being re-elected unopposed.

The election will see former Cherwell chairman Eric Heath, who has been a Conservative councillor since 1999, step down with his wife Chris hoping to step into his shoes.

Elsewhere Lib Dem Devena Rae, who was elected in 2006, will also step down.

Once the election is over there will be plenty of local issues for new councillors to get their teeth into.

A big topic for both Banbury and Bicester is healthcare.

The future of Banbury’s Horton Hospital is under threat, and in Bicester the replacement of the community hospital is in limbo because of a legal wrangle.

Affordable housing, climate change and green initiatives, the flood defence scheme and Banbury town centre will all be top of the agenda.

As will controversial developments including Bicester’s eco town, the proposed incinerator at Ardley and the windfarm between Fritwell and Fewcott, near Bicester.

Chief executive Mary Harpley, who is the election returning officer, urged people to go out and vote on polling day.

She said: “People should always vote when given the chance, and with one third of Cherwell District Council’s 50 available seats being contested at the district elections on May 6, a great deal is at stake.”

She added: “The role that local councillors play should not be underestimated.

“They will be making important decisions about the area, for example, council tax, rubbish collection and new houses.”