Stand for Election - Borough and Parish Elections

Stand for Election as a Borough Councillor

What do Borough Councillors do?

Councils are responsible for a wide range of services, from children and adult services, housing and regeneration to waste and recycling, roads, planning, public health and community safety. Decisions on these services are taken by Councillors, who set the vision and strategic direction of the Council. Councillors also:

• Represent the Ward where they are elected;
• Make decisions;
• Develop and review Council policy;
• Scrutinise decisions taken by other Councillors;
• Carry out regulatory, quasi-judicial and statutory duties; and
• Carry out community leadership and engagement roles.

Most Councillors hold regular Ward Surgeries to meet residents to discuss their problems or concerns. They also respond to letters, e-mails and telephone calls from constituents and attend Council and Scrutiny Meetings.

Who can be a Councillor?

You can be a Councillor if you:

• Are British, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union;
• Are at least 18 years old;
• Are registered to vote in the area you have lived, worked or owned property in for at least 12 months prior to the election.

Why should I stand for election?

There are many reasons why people decide to stand for election, including:

• Wanting to make a difference and be involved in shaping the future of their local community;
• Being concerned about your area and wanting to ensure that the community gets the right services;
• Wanting to represent the views of local people and ensure that their interests are taken into account;
• Wanting to contribute your business or professional skills.

Councillors do not receive a salary, however are given an allowance in recognition of the time and expenses incurred on council business. Before you consider standing for election you may want to discuss it with your family and friends to make sure they understand what you are taking on. You will need their support as you'll have to spend some of your spare time on council business.

Standing as a representative of a Political Party

If you are considering standing for a party, you will need to contact the leaders of the local political group to discuss your interest. If you are standing as a representative of a party, you will need to submit a certificate of authorisation and a request to use the party emblem.

Support

We provide support to Councillors by organising a comprehensive training programme which follows the elections and by arranging further training throughout the four-year period based on individual need. The Council will provide also dedicated web page for each Councillor which can be used to display information and other items of interest, and arrange ward surgeries.

More information

Be a Councillor [external link]

Stand for Election as a Parish Councillor

To be able to stand as a candidate at a Parish Council Election in England, or a community council election in Wales, you must:

• be at least 18 years old on the day of your nomination
• be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union
• meet at least one of the following four qualifications:
• You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the Parish in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards
• You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the Parish area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election
• Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the Parish area
• You have lived in the Parish area or within three miles of it during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election

Apart from meeting the qualifications for standing for election, you must also not be disqualified from standing. There are certain people who are disqualified from being elected to a Parish Council in England and Wales.

Prospective candidates at Parish elections should familiarise themselves with the guidance issued by the Electoral Commission [external link]