Election Process to become a Parish Councillor
Parish councillors are elected by the public and serve four-year terms. The next election for Steeton with Eastburn Parish Council is 2023. Following elections, councils appoint a chairman. The Nomination and Election process are detailed below.
The Election Procedure
Ordinary elections of local councillors take place on the first Thursday in May every four years.
The election timetable is as follows:
| Proceeding | Time |
|---|---|
| Publication of notice of election | Not later than the twenty fifth day before the day of election |
| Delivery of nomination papers | Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the nineteenth day before the day of election |
| Delivery of notices of withdrawals of candidature | Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the nineteenth day before the day of election |
| Publication of statement as to persons nominated | Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the eighteenth day before the day of election |
| Notice of poll | Not later than the sixth day before the day of election |
| Polling | Between the hours of 7 in the morning and 10 at night on the day of election |
Nomination process
A prospective candidate must deliver to the Returning Officer a valid nomination paper. This form is obtained from the Officer. The candidate's surname, forenames, residence and description (if required) must be entered and his or her number and prefix letter from the current register of electors. The Returning Officer has a copy of this register, and the clerk of the local council normally has one.
The nomination paper must also contain similar particulars of a proposer and a seconder. They must be electors for the area for which the candidate seeks election (i.e. the parish, community or town or the ward if it is divided into wards): they must sign it.
What Next?
The returning officer appointed by a principal authority is the person responsible for the conduct and arrangement for the elections. If you are considering becoming a candidate for election it could be wise to contact the Returning Officer to obtain any more detailed information.
Please note: A vote will only take place if the number of candidates nominated in the parish is greater than the number of vacant seats.
But the election is not for a few years
If a seat becomes vacant mid-term (or if there are not enough candidates to fill all council seats at election time) the council will hold a by-election or co-opt.
Publication of the Notice of Casual Vacancy starts the process which allows ten electors of the parish to request that an election be held to fill the vacancy. If no request is received, then, after the expiry of the fourteen day period, the council can co-opt a person to fill the vacancy as soon as is practicable.
The Parish Council will publicise the vacancy and the candidate is chosen by the Parish Council.
You have to be:
- a British subject or a citizen of the Commonwealth
- over 18 years of age
and additionally you have to be one of the following
- a local government elector for the council area for which you want to stand
- have during the whole of the 12 months occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the council area or within 3 miles of it for the whole period
- have during that same period had your principal or only place of work in the council area or within 3 miles of it for the whole period.
You cannot stand for election if you
- are subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order.
- have, within five years before the day of the election, been convicted in the United Kingdom of any offence and have had a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of over three months without the option of a fine.
- you work for the council you want to become a councillor for (but you can work for other local authorities, including the principal authorities that represent the same area).