Parish Councillor elections

As a parish councillor, you can become a voice for your community and make a real change. Parish councillors are community leaders and represent the interests of the communities they serve.

They have three main responsibilities:

- Decision-making

- Monitoring

- Getting involved locally

Detailed information about the role of a parish councillor and guidance on standing for election can be found on the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) website. You can also take a look at the Be a councillor campaign pages.

Wheathampstead Parish Council has 12 parish councillor vacancies. To stand for election to become a parish councillor you must be:

- At least 18 years old on the day of your nomination, and

- A British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union

You must also meet at least one of the following three qualifications:

- You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the parish area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election, or

- 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 Wheathampstead, or

- You have lived within three miles of Wheathampstead during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election

Disqualifications from standing

There are certain people who are disqualified from being elected to a parish council in England and Wales.

You cannot be a candidate if at the time of your nomination and on the day of the election:

- You hold a paid office or other place of profit in the gift or disposal of the council

- You are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order, or

- You have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence), without the option of a fine, during the five years before polling day, or

- You have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which covers corrupt or illegal electoral practices and offences relating to donations) or under the Audit Commission Act 1998​​

How to apply

The deadline for receipt of nominations to stand as a candidate for the elections is:

- 4pm on Wednesday 3 April 2019 -.

Visit The Electoral Commission website to download a nomination pack. This pack provides a detailed list of what must be included and where/who to send your application to. Please note, you cannot apply via the Parish Council. To obtain a paper application, you can visit St Albans District Council offices at the Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE. A limited number of paper applications are available at the Parish Council office at The Memorial Hall, Marford Road.

Elections

Elections will be held on Thursday 2 May 2019 in The Memorial Hall, Marford Road.