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Elections

 

Why become a Parish or Town Councillor?

As a councillor you can become a voice for your community and affect real change. Councillors are community leaders and represent the aspirations of the public that they serve. Parish, town, community and neighbourhood councillors are the most local part of our democratic system and are closest to the public. By standing for your parish council you could make a real difference to your local neighbourhood.

You should consider becoming a parish or town councillor if:

• You Want To Do Something Positive for Your Community
• You Want To Spend Your Time Productively
• You Can Think, Listen and Act Locally

For more information, please click on this link: Why become a parish or town councillor

Parish Councillor Job Description

 

Who can be a Councillor?

Initially, you may have little knowledge of Council work but this will come along with training, support and experience.

As a new Councillor you will bring to the Council fresh enthusiasm and new ideas, a care for your community and a willingness to learn.

A candidate for a Parish or Town Council is qualified if, when nominated –

1. he or she is a British subject or Irish citizen,
2. is 18 years of age, and
3. is either in the list of electors for that Parish or Town or has during the whole of the preceding twelve months:

a. occupied land as owner or tenant in it, or
b. had a principal place of work there, or
c. resided in or within three miles of it.

For more details, please click here: Whats in it for me and my community

Disqualifications - you cannot stand for election if you:

• are the subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order
• have, within 5 years before the day of the election, been convicted in the UK of any offence and have had a prison sentence (whether suspended or not) for a period of over 3 months without the option of a fine
• work for the council you want to become a councillor for

 

How?

What Next?

If you are considering becoming a candidate for election you are very strongly recommended to contact the Returning Officer at the District or Borough Council to obtain information on what you need to do to be nominated. All of the District and Borough Councils produce guidance on Election Procedures and it is imperative that these are followed or you may find that you have disqualified yourself from candidacy.

Please click here How to become a councillor, including timetable for 2011 elections, or contact us with any questions

"Purdah" - Guidance for Members and Officers on Publicity in the Pre-Election Period - our thanks to Hertford Town Council for sharing this document

Uncontested Elections

• If insufficient nominations are received to trigger an election, the remaining candidates are declared elected.
• If there is a quorum, the Parish Council will be able to co-opt to fill any remaining vacancies.
• The Parish Council may display a poster to advertise the remaining vacancies
• insufficient notice of candidates poster for publicising casual vacancies

• Co-option arises when there is a vacancy after elections through insufficient candidates, or through a casual vacancy mid-term. It may be seen as an appointment rather than an election but the question of qualifications and, in particular, disqualifications, is still relevant.  Also co-opted members have the same status and responsibility as elected Councillors once they are appointed and then sign the declaration of acceptance of office.

  Before exercising the power of co-option, the council does not have to give public notice of the vacancy or vacancies, although it may do so if it wishes.  In practice, the giving of public notice is a sensible way to attract possible candidates for co-option and ensure openness and transparency for the Council. 

  The Parish Council will consider co-option within a public Council meeting. The Clerk will report the names of the candidates to the Council and, if required, distribute their letters or application forms (if used). An interview process is not recommended although the Council may invite each candidate to address the meeting with their reasons for applying to be a Councillor.

  If there is more than one vacancy and the number of candidates equals the number of vacancies, all the vacancies may be filled by a single composite resolution. But if the number of candidates exceeds the number of vacancies, each vacancy must be filled by a separate vote or series of votes.

  The person co-opted must receive a majority of the votes of those Councillors present and voting at the meeting where the co-option takes place.

  So if there is more than one candidate the Parish Council must hold a ballot amongst its members. They must do so by successive counts to eliminate the least successful candidate until the successful candidate has an absolute majority of those present and voting. Councillors can only vote if they are present at the meeting. The vote may be undertaken by secret ballot but the result must be announced and any Councillor can ask for a recorded vote at any time. If there is an equality of votes at any time, the Chairman must use his casting vote.

  Councillors appointed by the Council hold office until the next ordinary election.

Taking Office as a Councillor

• Declaration of Acceptance of Office -Acceptance Of Office Model Form our thanks to Essex Association of Local Councils for sharing this document
• Going forward as a Councillor www.herts-aptc.gov.uk/members/toolkits.shtml

which includes:

The Good Councillor Guide

Guidance on declaring and registering members' interest

Information for Councils holding elections:

Get Involved Poster

NALC Election Booklet (pdf) Election booklet from NALC and the Electoral Commission

NALC Poster undated (pdf) NALC poster to publicise the next elections, undated for your use

Elections Practitioners Guide Useful information on Local Council elections procedure

 

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