What is a Councillor?
A Councillor is someone who is elected by local people to represent the residents of an area. This can be at a District level (i.e. Cannock Chase Council), or, more locally, at a Parish or Town Council level. When elected, Councillors normally serve a four year term of office before standing down or standing again for re-election.
Why Become a Councillor
People have different reasons for wanting to become a Councillor. Some want to represent local people’s interests or "give something back" to the community; others may have political interests or ambitions. However, you don’t have to be a member of a political party to become a Councillor. People who don’t want to represent a political party can stand as independent candidates.
How Do I Get to be a Councillor?
You need to be elected, but first, you need to be a candidate. If you want to represent a particular political party, you will need to be ‘selected’ by the local party to stand as their (official) candidate at the election.
To be a candidate you have to meet certain basic criteria before you can stand for election and these are outlined below. Full details and the latest guidance can be found on the Electoral Commission website
Further Information
We hold briefings prior to elections for prospective Candidates and Agents. A briefing in respect of the May 2024 District elections will be scheduled in due course.
Notices of Election and additional information will be published in due course.
Additional information is also provided by the Local Government Association as part of its 'Be A Councillor' campaign.
Criteria
Briefly, on the day you are nominated and on the day of the election you must be:
- aged 18 years or over; and
- either a UK or Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Irish Republic, or a citizen of a member state of the EU
In addition, you must meet at least one of the following:
- on the day of nomination and on the day of the election you are, and continue to be, registered as a voter in the district;
- for the whole of twelve months before the day of nomination and the day of election, you have occupied any land or other premises as owner or tenant in the district;
- for the whole of twelve months before the day of nomination and the day of the election your principal or only place of work has been in the district;
- for the whole of twelve months before the day of nomination and the day of election you have resided in the district.
However, you will not be eligible to stand for election if:
- you are a paid employee of the Council;
- you are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order;
- you have within five years, before the day of the election, been sentenced to a term of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) of not less than three months without the option of a fine.