Standing for election as a Town/Parish Councillor
The following is provided as broad guidance about the policies and procedures behind standing for election as a Town/Parish Councillor. The definitive guide is provided by The Electoral Commission. It is important that if you are considering putting yourself forward for election that you are familiar with the current procedures and rules by clicking on the Electoral Commission link below. This will take you away from this website.
The relevant page on the Electoral Commission website is here: Guidance for Candidates at Parish Council elections in England
The Electoral Commission’s guidance is in several parts and covers things such as:
Qualifications for standing for election
Disqualifications from standing for election
Completing and submitting your nomination papers
Candidate spending
Campaigning dos and don’ts
Polling Day dos and don’ts
Attending the count and what to expect
Making the declaration of acceptance of office
Co-Option for Town/Parish Councils
Sometimes vacancies arise on a Town/Parish Council in between the official, 4 yearly, elections. There is a set procedure for filling such vacancies. A notice is posted advertising the existence of the vacancy and telling people that an election can be requested by 10 or more parishioners. If a request is received from sufficient people then a by-election is held. If less than 10 people (or nobody) replies then a Casual Vacancy is declared by the Returning Officer at North Yorkshire Council and the Town/Parish Council invites applications from interested parties. Council then meets and a candidate is appointed by a majority vote.