What exactly are you voting for on Thursday?

Thousands of voters across Wrexham will head to the polls this week to have their say on who they want to represent their local area for the next five years.

There are now just two more days until the first local government election since 2017 takes place.

Many have already cast their vote for the election on May 5 via a postal vote, however between 7am and 10pm on Thursday voters will have the change to head to their local polling station.

This is the first election to have taken place since a series of changes were announced by the Boundary Commission, with the number of councillors and wards in Wrexham having increased.

Despite the noise on social media, turnout at council elections is notoriously low with just 36 per cent of the registered electorate taking part in 2017 – with many more not even registered to vote.

In many wards across the county borough there is a majority of less than 100 – in others there was a literal handful of just 10 votes between those elected and their nearest competitor, all contributing to the overall make up of the council.

For the first time those aged 16-17 will be able to take part and vote in the local government election.

Often on social media there is confusion over what a councillor is actually responsible for and what their job is.

A councillor can be the first point of call for residents in their local area on issues such as everyone’s favourite topics – potholes, speeding, dog poo, litter, housing issues.

Those who the public of Wrexham elect will also play a larger part in the decision making, challenge to council officers, and policy direction of the local authority for the next five years.

In Wrexham there are 10 executive board members who are selected from whoever the ruling administration is, the number of such board members is one such policy decision councillors decide!

As well as the leader and deputy council leader, those on the executive board also hold portfolios and are involved in the decision making in issues that impact you, the resident, everyday.

These include (but not limited to!)  the environment, how the budget is set, education, adult social care, planning, tourism and the local economy.

Councillors will also have the opportunity to take part in debate and discussions on the above topics by being appointed to scrutiny committees, which can then form recommendations and generally can be quite powerful.

Locally there is the planning committee, several scrutiny committees and audit.

Councillors also have the opportunity to bring certain things that they want to discuss to scrutiny through the use of topic request forms, or asking questions in meetings or request more information from officers.

In the past this has lead to challenge on the former Sprouts nursery, the towns markets and more recently – the council’s response to flooding caused by Storm Christoph.

Make sure you, your friends and family all take part in the council elections – no moaning about the council for the next five years if you don’t !