THE leader and deputy of the authority which controls �79m of taxpayers’ money in Great Yarmouth are up for re-election.

Thirteen of the 39 councillors on Great Yarmouth Borough Council are being put to the public vote in May.

The council leader and deputy leader, Tories Steve Ames and Charles Reynolds, face the vote on May 3, as a third of councillors must fight to keep their seats.

The current make-up of the council is 22 Conservatives, 16 Labour and one independent - Michael Taylor, a former Labour councillor

Of these, eight Conservatives, four Labour and Mr Taylor are up for election.

The wards where seats will go to the vote are: Bradwell North; Bradwell South and Hopton; Central and Northgate; Claydon, East Flegg; Gorleston, Magdalen; Nelson; Ormesby; St Andrews; Southtown and Cobholm; West Flegg and Yarmouth North.

And the councillors who could lose or retain seats are Steve Ames, Charles Reynolds, Alan Grey, Michael Taylor, Anthony Blyth, George Jermany, Bertie Collins, Patricia Page, Michael Jeal, Marlene Fairhead, Penny Linden, Barry Coleman and Paul Garrod.

Nominations for people wishing to stand as councillors must be received by midday on Wednesday, April 4. Voters must ensure they are registered by Wednesday, April 18 or they will not be able to take part in the democratic process - the election helpline is 01493 846327.

The total percentage polled in May 2011 was just 36pc.

None of the borough’s county council seats are up for election this year, but nearly 80 parish councillors are up for election.

The following number of councillors are up for election at the following parish councils: Bradwell North Ward, nine; Bradwell South Ward, six; Hemsby, 11; Hopton on Sea North Ward, one; Hopton on Sea South Ward, 10; Martham, 11; Ormesby St Margaret with Scratby, Ormesby Ward, 10; Ormesby St Margaret with Scratby, Scratby Ward, five; Somerton, seven; Winterton on Sea, nine.

News on the candidates standing for election will be reported in the Mercury in the coming weeks.