Becoming a Councillor

If you would like to become a Parish Councillor you must be qualified to stand for election. The Local Government Act 1972, Section 79, sets out the qualifications for standing as a candidate.

On the day of nomination and the day of poll, you must:

• be at least 18 years old
• be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union, and
• meet at least one of the following four qualifications:

a) Your name must appear on the register of local government electors for the parish/community at the time of your nomination and throughout your term of office should you be elected.

b) You have occupied any land or other premises as owner or tenant in the parish/community during 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

c) 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 do not have to have paid employment to qualify, as long as your main or only place of work is in the parish/community area. For example, Councillors who's main or only job is being a councillor would be able to use this qualification, if their council office is within the parish/community.

d) You have lived in the parish/community area or within three miles of it during 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

For more information please check out the Local Government Association's 'Becoming a Councillor'.