Police and Crime Commissioner and Tees Valley Combined Authority Mayoral Elections - 6 May 2021

In 2021, elections will be held for a Police and Crime Commissioner for the Durham Police Area and a Mayor for the Tees Valley Combined Authority, for the next three years.

A By Election will also be held for the Red Hall and Lingfield Ward, following the resignation of Councillor Sam Howarth.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)

The PCC oversees the running of local police services and holds the Chief Constable to account on behalf of local people. The role involves:

• Securing an efficient and effective police service within their area;
• Setting the local budget, and raising the local policing precept from Council Tax;
• Deciding what the key priorities should be for the police in their area, and publishing a Police and Crime Plan that reflects this;
• The appointment, suspension and dismissal of the Chief Constable; and
• Publishing an Annual Report.

PCC's may stand for a political party, however, they are expected to represent all the people in their area impartially and are required to swear an 'Oath of Impartiality' before taking office.

The election will be co-ordinated across County Durham by the Police Area Returning Officer (PARO), who is based at Durham County Council, however local arrangements for Darlington will be delegated to the Local Returning Officer.

Tees Valley Combined Authority Mayor (TVCA)

The TVCA was created in April 2016 and is a partnership of five authorities, namely Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.  Further information on the role of the Mayor is available on the Tees Valley Combined Authority website.  

The election will be co-ordinated across the Tees Valley area by the Combined Authority Returning Officer (CARO), who is based at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, however local arrangements for Darlington will be delegated to the Local Returning Officer.

All residents who are registered and eligible to vote at the TVCA Mayoral Election will receive a booklet on the role of the Mayor in advance of the election.

Please be assured that Polling Stations will be safe places in which to vote, and you will see many of the Covid-secure measures that you might see at supermarkets, banks, etc. Social distancing will be encouraged, and staff and electors will be expected to wear a face covering, unless medically exempt. Sanitising stations will be available, and regular cleaning of Polling Booths will take place throughout the day. A list of our Polling Stations can be found here. 

Election Timetable