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Parish Councillor Vacancy

19th of February, 2026

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We’re Looking for a New Parish Councillor!

Would you like to make a difference in our community?

We currently have a vacancy on the Parish Council and are looking to co-opt a new councillor to join our friendly and committed team.

What does a Parish Councillor do?
Parish Councillors help shape local decisions, support community projects, and work to improve the village for everyone. It’s a rewarding role where you can:

• Represent local residents

• Have a say on planning and local services

• Support community initiatives

• Help make positive changes in our parish

No previous experience is needed — just an interest in the community and a willingness to get involved.

Could this be you?
You must:

• Be 18 years of age or over

• Be eligible to stand as a local councillor

• Live or work in (or near) the parish

If you care about our area and want to play a part in its future, we’d love to hear from you.

Interested?

Please send a short note telling us a little about yourself and why you’d like to join the Council to:

Tracy Morris
clerk@claytonlewoods-pc.gov.uk

If you’d like an informal chat about what’s involved, please contact the Clerk — we’re always happy to help.

Come and help shape the future of our community!

 

More Info:

Qualifications to be a parish or town councillor
To be able to stand at a parish or town council election they must:
• be at least 18 years old

• An eligible Commonwealth citizen is a Commonwealth citizen who either:
a) does not need leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, or
b) has indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

• A qualifying EU citizen is a citizen of a country:
a) that has a bilateral Voting and Candidacy Rights (VCR) treaty with the UK,
b) is a resident in the UK,
c) With any form of leave to remain or does not require such leave.

• An EU citizen has retained rights if:
a) they are a citizen of a county which does not have a bilateral Voting and
Candidacy Rights (VCR) treaty with the UK,
b) and they have been legally resident in the UK since before the UK left the EU on 31
December 2020 (the Implementation Period Completion Date – IPCS.

Candidates should also meet at least one of the following four qualifications:

1. Candidate will continue to be registered as a local government elector for the parish
in which they wish to stand from the day of their nomination onwards.

2. Candidate has 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 their nomination and the
day of election

3. Candidates main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of their
nomination and the day of election has been in the parish area.

4. Candidate has lived in the parish area or within three miles of it during the whole of
the 12 months before the day of their nomination and the day of election.

Except for qualification 'a', which must continue for the length of office, the above
qualifications must apply for the period covering the nomination and elections ((Local
Government Act 1972, Section 79(2)).

If a candidate qualifies for more than one of the above qualifications, it is recommended
that they indicate all that apply in case they cease to qualify for one of the qualifications.

For more information on qualifications visit the qualifications page of Guidance for
Candidates at Parish council elections in England | Electoral Commission.

Disqualifications of becoming a parish councillor
There are certain people who are disqualified from being elected to a parish or town council.
A person cannot be a candidate if at the time of their nomination and on polling day if:

• They are employed by the parish council or hold a paid office under the parish
council (including joint boards or committees).

• They are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order.

• They 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 and the ordinary period allowed for making an appeal or
applications in respect of the conviction has passed. A person who is in the process
of making an appeal or application in relation to the conviction is not disqualified at
any time before the end of the day on which the appeal or application is disposed of,
abandoned or fails by reason of non-prosecution.

• They have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which
covers corrupt or illegal electoral practices). The disqualification for an illegal
practice begins from the date the person has been reported guilty by an election
court or convicted and lasts for three years. The disqualification for a corrupt
practice begins from the date a person has been reported guilty by an election court
or convicted and lasts for five years unless at any time within that period a court
determines that the conviction should not be upheld, in which case the
disqualification ends at that time.

• They are subject to the notification requirement of or under Part 2 of the Sexual
Offences Act 2003, and the ordinary period allowed for making an appeal or
application in respect of the order or notification has passed. A disqualification set
under Section 81A of the Local Government Act 1972 will only apply to a person who
is subject to any relevant notification requirements or relevant order made on or after
28 June 2022. A person who is in the process of making an appeal or application in
relation to the disqualification is not disqualified at any time before the end of the
day on which the appeal or application is disposed of, abandoned or fails by reason
of non-prosecution.

• They have been convicted of an intimidatory criminal offence motivated by hostility
towards a candidate, future candidate or campaigner or holder of a relevant elective
office. The effect of a disqualification order is that the person will be disqualified
from standing for, being elected to, and holding any relevant elective o%ice for five
years.

A person may also be disqualified from being or becoming a member of certain authorities
following a conviction under the Localism Act 2011, Section 34.