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Notice of poll · Medway Council

Cuxton, Halling & Riverside

A by-election to elect one councillor for the Cuxton, Halling & Riverside ward of Medway Council, following the death of Councillor Phil Filmer.

Polling day

Thursday 23 July 2026

Polls open

7am – 10pm

Countdown

10 days to go

Official election information from Medway Council ↗

Key dates

Register to vote by

Tue 7 Jul 2026

Deadline passed

Apply for postal vote by

Wed 8 Jul 2026

Deadline passed

Apply for proxy vote by

Wed 15 Jul 2026

2 days from now

Get a reminder to vote

Life's busy. Give us an email address or UK mobile number and we'll remind you the evening before polling day and on the morning of 23 July.

Two reminders. No marketing. Deleted after the election. Privacy

Who represents the ward now · 2 seats

Seat 1

Cllr Matt Fearn

Conservative

Term until May 2027

Elected May 2023 with 880 votes.

Council profile ↗

Seat 2

Vacant

Held by Cllr Phil Filmer (Conservative) until his death. This by-election fills the seat.

The candidates · in ballot paper order

1 mark of support so far

Vote for one candidate only

  • Photograph of William Burvill

    Burvill, William

    Reform UK

    ⌂ Lives in the ward

    0 marks · 0%

    Statement & election record

    “William Burvill is a Medway resident who has dedicated his career to supporting vulnerable people, SEND children, adults, foster care and standing up for those who feel overlooked, and helping individuals overcome challenges.”

    “William is standing because local residents deserve a councillor who is visible, accessible, and willing to fight for the community all year round not just at election time.”

    “His priorities include ensuring infrastructure is delivered before development, improving road safety and public transport, protecting village character and green spaces, and bringing greater accountability to Medway Council.”

    First time standing in a recorded election.

    Facebook ↗
  • Photograph of Iain Michael Childs

    Childs, Iain Michael

    Labour

    Lives outside the ward

    0 marks · 0%

    Statement & election record

    “I'm honoured to stand in this election. I stand for unity, not division, and for making sure our community's voice is heard. By working closely with our Labour run council, I'll focus on improving our roads, public transport, local NHS services and our much loved green spaces.”

    Election record
    2023 Rainham South East: Medway local election Not elected · 835 votes · 5th / 9 candidates
    Facebook ↗
  • Photograph of Ronald Arcon Gillett

    Gillett, Ronald Arcon

    Liberal Democrats

    ⌂ Lives in the ward

    0 marks · 0%

    Statement & election record

    “Ron is a local champion who lives locally in the ward.”

    “Ron champions the Medway Liberal Democrats' efforts to clean up River Medway. Across Medway, at St Mary's Island, he supports John Castle's & Nicholas Chan's efforts in cleaning up the dockside - where rubbish gathers regularly. Ron calls for better regulations and to put water companies into community hands and ownership.”

    “Across Medway, Ron is passionate to revitalise our high street businesses with a Business Rate reform. "The Government should replace unfair business rates with a Commercial Landowner Levy to shift the tax burden from struggling tenants to commercial landowners, to stop penalising productive business investment and use land and buildings more efficiently," says Ron Gillett. This will end the stealth tax on our high streets, which affects youth employment and business investments.”

    “Together, we Demand Better for Medway residents.”

    Election record
    2023 Cuxton, Halling & Riverside: Medway local election Not elected · 76 votes · 7th / 7 candidates
  • Photograph of Trish Merchant

    Merchant, Trish

    Green Party

    Lives outside the ward

    1 mark · 100%

    Statement & election record

    “I'm Trish Marchant and I have lived in Gillingham for over 40 years. Growing up in Gillingham South ward, in Gillingham Road, and attending St Marys Primary School and Chatham Grammar. I am a chartered electrical engineer and I am currently working in healthcare estates engineering at Darent Valley Hospital as the senior technical manager. Previously I worked at the Medway Hospital as the energy and environment manager and kick started the move towards energy efficiency.”

    Election record
    2025 Gillingham South: Medway local by-election Not elected · 167 votes · 4th / 7 candidates
    2023 Rainham North: Medway local election Not elected · 442 votes · 8th / 10 candidates
    2019 Strood North: Medway local election Not elected · 499 votes · 8th / 11 candidates
    2010 Gillingham and Rainham: UK Parliamentary general election Not elected · 356 votes · 7th / 9 candidates
    Facebook ↗
  • Photograph of Richard Thorne

    Thorne, Richard

    Conservative

    ⌂ Lives in the ward

    0 marks · 0%

    Statement & election record

    “I am honoured to be selected to stand as the Candidate for Cuxton, Halling and Riverside for the Conservative Party. My role is to represent the residents of the ward with the same dedication as our former Councillor Phil Filmer who unfortunately has passed on. My family and I have lived in the ward for over 40 years. As Chairman of Halling Parish Council and a former Medway Councillor, I have a deep understanding of the issues facing our villages and communities, and the experience to get things done.”

    Election record
    2023 Fort Pitt: Medway local election Not elected · 951 votes · 5th / 8 candidates
    2019 Strood South: Medway local election Elected · 777 votes · 3rd / 12 candidates
    Facebook ↗

Tap the box to add your mark of support — tap again to remove it. One mark per person; you can change it any time. This is informal and separate from the real vote.

Question time · Put it to the candidates

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Ask the candidates

What do you want to know before you vote? Your question goes to all 5 candidates equally. Questions are checked before they appear.

On the day

  • Polls are open 7am to 10pm on Thursday 23 July 2026. Your polling station is printed on your poll card.
  • You must show photo ID to vote at a polling station — a passport, driving licence, or free Voter Authority Certificate all work.
  • You don't need your poll card to vote, only to know where to go.
  • Mark one candidate with an X. One councillor will be elected.
Accepted forms of voter ID — Electoral Commission ↗

Standing in this election?

If you're one of the candidates — or their election agent — you can get a login to amend your own profile: your photo, statement, links and election record. Tell us who you are and we'll verify and send you access.