How do I become a Councillor?

• You will need to be nominated to become a candidate
• Validly nominated candidates will have their names on ballot papers and possibly emblems
• Electors will vote by post or at polling stations for their preferred candidate(s)
• Candidate(s) with the most votes will become Councillors depending on the number to be elected in each electoral area.

How do I know if I’m qualified to stand as Councillor?

Qualifications

To be eligible as a candidate you must:

• be aged 18 years or above
• be a British Citizen, a qualifying citizen of a commonwealth country, a citizen of the Irish Republic, or a citizen of another member state of the European Union

You must also on polling day and on the day of nomination be:

• Registered as local government elector for the area of the Council or parish
• Been owner or tenant of any land or premises in the area during the whole of 12 months before the day of nomination
• Their only place of work during the last 12 months has been in the area
• They have lived in the area during the whole of the last 12 months (and for parish councils only “or within 4.8km of it” (3 miles))

You cannot stand for election if:

• You are employed by the local authority or hold paid office under the authority (including joint boards or committees)
• Subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order
• Been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence) without the option of a fine during 5 years before election day
• Been disqualified under Representation of People Act or under Audit Commission Act 1998
• Politically restricted postholder
• Guilty of corrupt or illegal practice by Election Court

How do I get nominated?

You need to contact the Elections Office for a nomination pack. Ring 01623 457321 and arrangements will be made for you to collect a nomination pack and you will be given further guidance on how to complete it.

For District Council elections you will need 10 electors registered for the ward in which you wish to stand to sign your nomination paper. One as proposer, one as seconder and 8 assentors.

For Parish Council elections you will need a proposer and a seconder each of whom must be electors registered in the Parish or Parish Ward.