Five candidates are lining up to contest the Wharfedale by-election next month with the hope of winning a seat on Bradford Council.

It follows the resignation of Conservative councillor Matt Palmer last month, who represented the ward from 2003. Mr Palmer has stepped down as he is moving to Jersey.

Hoping to fill the seat are: Samuel Fletcher (UKIP), David Green (Lab), Janet Souyave (Green), Paul Treadwell (Lib Dem) and Jackie Whiteley (Con).

The by-election will take place on November 15, which coincides with the police and crime commissioner elections. This should ensure costs are kept down as the last by-election, held in Great Horton in November, cost the council £14,000.

Votes will be counted overnight at Richard Dunn Sports Centre in Odsal after the polls close at 10pm. Verification of the district’s voting papers in the police and crime commissioner elections will also take place at the sports centre from 10pm, before they are counted at a central point for West Yorkshire.

When Mr Palmer announced his resignation in order to take up a new job, he said he could not continue to serve the people of the ward while living so far away.

He also criticised the Bradford local authority, saying it is “not a very good council, and has not been for a very long time”.

He added that the authority “means well”, but needs reorganising to serve all areas of the district properly.

Mr Palmer said: “Wharfedale should seek a new, more locally accountable and more democratic model, as should the City of Bradford. That would give both the chance to make their own way.”