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How do I become a Councillor?

To be qualified to be elected a member of a Parish Council a person must be 21 years of age and a citizen of the Commonwealth, European Community or Republic of Ireland, and either:

  1. be a local government elector of the Parish; or
  2. have during the whole of the twelve months preceding the day on which he/she is nominated as a candidate occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the Parish; or
  3. his/her principle or only place of work in the twelve months preceding the day on which he/she is nominated as a candidate have been in the area of the; or
  4. have resided either in the Parish or within 3 miles thereof during the whole of the twelve months preceding the day on which he/she is nominated as a candidate.

There are certain disqualification's for election of which the main ones (see Section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972) are:

  1. a person holding a paid office under the local authority; or
  2. a person who has been adjudged bankrupt, or made a composition or arrangement with his/her creditors; or
  3. has within 5 years before the day of election or since his/her election been convicted in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man of any offence and has had passed on him/her a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of not less than 3 months without the option of a fine. The relevant documentation is available at the Parish Council Office.

The other way to become a Councillor is to be co-opted, this happens when a vacancy arises on the Council and 10 constituents have not written in demanding a by-election, the Council then requests people to put themselves forward and selects a new member to fill the vacancy.

The other way that this can happen is at an election, if there are not enough candidates nominated for office then the ones that are will be elected by default and the remainder may then be coopted. However it is the policy of this Council to elect all councillors where possible.

Do you think that you would like to shape the future of Quedgeley?

For further information please contact us.