Become a councillor

Candidates at local elections are sometimes unfamiliar with the procedures. Here are a few notes which may be of assistance.

Eligibility for nomination

To be eligible for election to a county council, a borough council or parish council, a person MUST:

• be 18 years of age on the day of nomination
• be a commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a citizen of another member state of the European community
• be a local government elector for the area of the county, borough or parish (as appropriate) OR
• during the whole of the 12 months preceding

(a) have occupied (as owner or tenant) any land or premises in the appropriate area; OR

(b) have had their principle or only place of work during those 12 months in the appropriate area; OR

(c) have, during those 12 months, lived in the appropriate area; OR

(d) (for parish councils only) have lived within 4.8 kilometres (three miles) of the parish.

Nomination of candidate

Each candidate must be nominated by a separate nomination paper which must be delivered to the returning officer, town hall, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3BT, by the date shown in the timetable.

The nomination paper must be signed by two electors for the appropriate area (as the case may be), as proposer and seconder. A nomination paper for a county and borough election must also be signed by eight other such electors as assentors. Parish council nominations require only a proposer and seconder. All signatories must be electors for the county division ward, parish or parish ward for which the candidate is standing, and must be of an age to vote at the election.

A candidate need not give a description, but any description given must not be more than 6 words long. It may be of either a personal or political nature.

As part of the nomination process, candidates at borough and parish council elections will be invited to sign the Local Election Compact for Amber Valley. View a copy of the Compact.

Consent to nomination

The candidate must give his/her consent in writing on, or one month before, the last day for delivery of nomination papers.

Registration of political parties

If a candidate uses a description relating to a registered political party, the nomination paper must be accompanied by a certificate issued by or on behalf of the registered nominating officer of the party.

Withdrawal from candidature

A candidate may withdraw his/her candidature by a written notice signed by the candidate in the presence of a witness who must also sign the notice. The notice must be delivered to the returning officer within the timetable.

Election agents

• Parish elections - agents are not required.
• Borough and county elections - every candidate must appoint an agent. If they do not, the candidate is deemed to be their own agent.

Contact the team directly on 01773 841458 or email elections@ambervalley.gov.uk