Become a Councillor 

Want to get involved in your community?  
Becoming a Parish Councillor is the perfect way of getting involved in the things that affect YOUR area. 

What is a Parish Council? 

A parish council is a local governing body that is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the people residing within the parish. Their primary focus is the welfare and betterment of the community they represent. 
A parish council often serves as the first point of contact for residents with concerns or new ideas. As such, they play a crucial role in any community. 

Who is a Parish Councillor? 

An elected or co-opted representative who volunteers their time for free to work on behalf of their communities. 

What are the main responsibilities of a Parish Councillor? 

To attend Parish Council meetings, take part in discussions, form sound judgments based on what is best for the community and abide by majority decisions 
To work with others to ensure the Parish Council is properly managed 
To represent the views of the community as a whole when discussing council business 
To take an active role in Parish Council events and activities 
To represent the Parish Council on any external bodies to which you are appointed 
To uphold the Parish Council's Standing Orders 
To participate effectively as a member of any committee or working party you are appointed to 
To maintain proper standards of behaviour as an elected representative of the community 

Who can become 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/community in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination on wards 
You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the parish/community 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/community area 
You have lived in the parish/community 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 

Are you disqualified from being a Parish Councillor? 

Apart from meeting the qualifications for standing for election, you must also not be disqualified from standing. You cannot be a candidate if at the time of your nomination and on the day of the election: 
 
You are employed by the parish/community council or hold a paid office under the parish/community council (including joint boards or committees) 
You are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order. 
You have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence), without the option of a fine, during the five years before polling day 
You have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which covers corrupt or illegal electoral practices and offences relating to donations) 
You have been disqualified under the Audit Commission Act 1988 

Become a Councillor 

If you are interested in becoming a Councillor please read the documents below and contact the Parish Clerk
Councillor Co-Option Policy 
Application for a Parish Councillor Role 
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