Are you passionate about your community? Do you want to help make a long-lasting change? Do you have innovative ideas for the council? Do you have concerns about a specific issue and want to do something about it? If this is you, then we need you. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect their community to put themselves forward for election. Make a change and become a councillor.
WHAT DO LOCAL COUNCILS DO?
Prestbury Parish Council consists of twelve councillors and has responsibility for the wellbeing of your local community. Their work falls into three main categories:
• Delivery of services
• Improve quality of life for residents
• Give communities a democratic voice
BECOMING A LOCAL COUNCILLOR
As a local councillor you can become a voice for your community and make real change. Local councillors are the champions of their community who
invest time in local projects and issues to the benefit of residents and the neighbourhood.
Local councillor responsibilities fall into three main categories:
• Decision-making as part of the Council
• Monitoring
• Getting involved locally
Local councillors attend to local needs of residents, local groups and businesses, collectively make decisions on local services, collaborate with district and
borough councils to adhere to local needs, and progress vital projects to invest in the future of the community.
CAN I STAND FOR ELECTION?
To stand for election to a local council you must be:
• A UK or Commonwealth citizen; or be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland;
• At least 18 years old
• An elector of the local council; or in the past 12 months occupied land or other premises in the area the local council serves (as owner or tenant);
or work in the area local council serves (as your principal or only place of work); or live within three miles of the local council boundary.
Three ways to become a Councillor:
Ordinary Election
Ordinary elections are held every four years and this is when all 12 seats on the council are up for election. Councillors serve a four-year term and all take office four days after the election. The next ordinary elections are in May 2023
By-Election
If a vacancy arises between ordinary elections a by-election may be held for that one seat. The elected councillor will serve the remainder of the term and retire with other councillors at the end of the four year term.
Co-option
If an insufficient number of candidates stand for an ordinary election leaving seats vacant, or a by-election is not triggered when a casual vacancy arises, the existing councillors may vote to co-opt a councillor to serve the term.
To find out more information:
The next elections will be held in May 2023.
To find out more about being a councillor, please feel free to contact the Parish Council for a chat using the contact page or by emailing the Parish Clerk or Chairman. Otherwise, pop along to one of our meetings advertised on the website to learn more about what we do.
The following link also contain more information:
National Association of Local Councils website
