Frequently asked questions regarding Parish election procedures, co-option and resignations
Becoming a parish councillor is a great way to represent and make positive changes to your local community.
You can either stand as an independent, or as a representative of a political party. If you want to represent a party, you will first need to join one and ask them to select you as their candidate for your area. In order to stand as a candidate at parish elections you must meet certain qualifications.
The qualifications for standing as a candidate in parish elections are as follows:
- be at least 18 years old
- be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any member state of the European Union
Additionally, you must meet at least one of the following four qualifications:
- you are and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the parish/community in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards
- you have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the parish/community area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of the election
- 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 have lived in the parish/community area or within three miles of it during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of the election
For more information regarding qualifications/disqualifications please see the electoral commission guidance.