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Lambeth: Myatt's Fields ward · Thursday 8 October

What you're voting for.

The single biggest source of confusion in politics is crediting or blaming people for things their job doesn't control. Thirty seconds on what this one does.

You're voting for

Your local councillor

Councillors sit on the council that runs services where you live. They set the council's budget and council tax, and decide local planning applications. Here, for Lambeth: Myatt's Fields ward.

What this office decides

  • Planning. Whether new homes, extensions and developments get permission.
  • Waste and streets. Bins, recycling, street cleaning, fly-tipping.
  • Council tax. The level you pay, within limits set nationally.
  • Social care. In county and unitary councils, care for older and disabled people.
  • Parks and libraries. Opening, funding, closing.
  • Council housing. Repairs, allocations and, in many areas, homelessness.

What it does not

  • NHS policy and waiting times. Parliament and the NHS.
  • Income tax and benefits. Parliament.
  • Immigration. Parliament.
  • Policing policy. The Home Office and your Police and Crime Commissioner or mayor.
  • Schools' curriculum. Government and, for academies, their trusts.

Candidates often campaign on things their office cannot change. That is not dishonest in itself — an MP can press a council, a councillor can lobby government — but it is worth knowing which is which. Summarised from the Local Government Association and UK Parliament descriptions of each role.

How this vote is counted: first past the post. One cross; the candidate with the most votes wins.Worked example

Every ballot with one cross is counted for that candidate. The one with the most votes wins, even without a majority. Example: A 4,000, B 3,900, C 2,100. A wins with 40% of the vote; the 60% cast for others elect nobody. There are no second preferences; a vote for a candidate who does not win has no further effect.

Key datesPolling day in 17 days · register deadline tomorrowRegister by Tue 22 SeptPostal vote by Wed 23 Sept 5pmProxy vote by Wed 30 Sept 5pmFree voter ID by Wed 30 Sept 5pmPolls 7am to 10pm · photo ID needed
about these dates
  • Calculated from the statutory election timetable (working days before polling day).
  • Confirm against the council's official notice.
Next: What's at stake →Skip to the candidates