Election

Become a Parish Councillor in 2023

/in News/by RFO Comberbach

2023 is an Election Year!!!

Are you passionate about your local area? Then put yourself forward to be elected to sit on the parish or town council as a councillor. There are 10,000 local councils in England, with 100,000 councillors. They are the heroes of their communities and give residents a voice on the decisions a council makes. They can improve the lives of fellow residents and make a real difference to their community. A brief fact sheet can also be downloaded here.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has released a video starring our very own viral sensation, Jackie Weaver, to help get more people involved in local (parish and town) councils. The video, shot in rural Yorkshire, raises the importance of everyone having a stake in their community and getting involved in their local council. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/_RrvU5V0GY8

Jackie was also interviewed for the Make A Change campaign see https://youtu.be/H8OVGiyClhg for a few minutes of her thoughts and advice.

Attend a webinar session to find out more…

Jackie Weaver is holding a number of short webinar sessions for people who are interested in standing as a councillor. Cost to attend is just £5. Dates are as follows: –

  • Wednesday 15th February 13.00 – 14.00
  • Tuesday 21st February 18.30 – 19.30
  • Tuesday 14th March 13.00 – 14.00

Presentation topics will include: –

  • Are you eligible to stand or could you be disqualified?
  • The election process and requirements for 4th May 2023
  • What does a town or parish councillor actually do?
  • Skills to be a good councillor
  • Rules and Regulations
  • Functions of the council
  • If this is for you – the next steps

There will be ample opportunity to ask questions.

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM THE COMFORT OF HOME AND HEAR ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS DIRECTLY FROM JACKIE WEAVER HERSELF
To register your place please email sharonangus-crawshaw@chalc.org.uk or nikkiroberts@chalc.org.uk – stating your preferred date and time

How can you become a councillor?

There are a number of ways in which you can become a councillor. These are:

  • ordinary election;
  • by election;
  • appointment by the principal authority;
  • appointment by the council itself;
  • return after a successful election petition; and
  • co-option to a casual vacancy.

To qualify to become a councillor you must be:

  • a Commonwealth citizen (which includes being a British subject) or a citizen of a member state of the European Union;
  • over the age of 18;
  • an elector of the parish; and in addition
  • have been either during the whole of the twelve months before the day of nomination or the day of election resided in the parish or within three miles of it or occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises therein or had principal or only place of work there.

It is therefore possible to sit on more than one council.

You may find this publication useful – It Takes All Sorts

Support for Women
Elect Her is a non-partisan organisation working to motivate, support and equip women in all their diversity to stand for political office in Britain. They offer practical, hands-on training and support to help women get started on their political journeys and encourage all women to take one of their free online workshops to demystify the process of getting involved in politics. See https://www.elect-her.org.uk/

Councillor vacancies
For information about specific vacancies contact your local council clerk – each parish and town council has its own website which will hold contact information for the one you are looking for.