Interested in becoming a parish councillor?
The Local
Parish Council is the first tier of local Government, it is generally
considered the first step into local government before moving on to higher
tears. They can levy a precept which has to be spent within the parish. By becoming a parish councillor, you will be
able to contribute to the Parish. A parish councillors’ primary role is to
represent the people who live with their parish, provide a bridge between the
community and the parish council, be an advocate for local residents and
signpost them to the right people within higher tiers.
To be eligible to stand for election to a parish council, you must be:
- be a UK or Commonwealth citizen and an elector of the parish
- be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland
- be a citizen of another Member state of the European Union
- for the whole of the previous 12 months have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish
- during the previous 12 months have worked in the parish (as your principal or only place of work)
- for the whole of the previous 12 months lived in the parish or within three miles of the parish boundary
- Sign up to the Parish Council's Code of Conduct, which is based on the Nolan Principles.
You may not stand in an election to become a local councillor, (Local Government Act 1972 (section 80) if you have been convicted and received a prison sentence (or suspended sentence) of three months or more in the five years before the election.
Meetings
Councillors have a duty to attend all meetings, meetings are open to the public and press. Meetings should last no more than two or three hours. Some councils also have sub-committees to deal with specific subjects, such as planning matters, but this generally makes for shorter council meetings rather than a much greater time commitment.
Length of service
Parish councillors are elected for a four-year term, but you may stand down at any point in the term, if you decide you are unable to continue.