How to become a councillor

Most candidates are nominated through a political party. However, individuals are welcome to stand in their own right.

Before you can be accepted as a candidate you must get two supporters to propose your nomination and you must sign a declaration and consent to Nomination. All the supporters must be on the electoral register for the area you are standing in.

To become a candidate you must be over 18 years of age at the date of nomination and:

• be on the electoral register, or
• have lived, worked or owned property in the area for at least the past 12 months,
• be a British citizen, qualifying Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or,     from May 2024
• if you are an EU citizen you must be a qualifying one or an EU citizen with retained rights.

You may be disqualified as a candidate if you work for the council or hold a politically restricted post with another local authority. Bankruptcy or a previous criminal conviction with a three-month or more prison sentence would also disqualify you as a candidate.

No experience of any sort is needed to stand for election as a Councillor.

Further information is posted here as we get nearer to the elections.