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Parish Councillors

Role of a Parish Councillor

A Parish Councillor is a representative elected from all residents of the Parish who are eligible and registered to take part in local and national elections.

Political Parties play no part in Parish Councils and, therefore, someone who has no party political affiliations is just as eligible to stand for the Parish Council as someone who has.

Unlike other local elections there are no 'wards' in Parish Councils and so all Parish Councillors represent all of the Parish electorate.

A Parish Councillor is expected to attend all Parish Council Meetings.

Why should you become a Parish Councillor?

The role of a Parish Councillor can be as varied as an individual wishes to make it.  The Parish Council is there to enhance the lives of residents of the Parish.  This may involve a Councillor tackling those 'niggling' little things, like a broken stile, or the major issues, like flooding within the Parish.  For these larger issues it is often the role of the Parish Councillor to represent the Parish Council in discussions with the higher tier local authorities who have the resources to deal with them.

Then there are environmental improvements within the Parish.  This could vary from planting bulbs in appropriate places or designating an area of Parish land for tree planting.  The provision of play areas, play equipment and its maintenance can also be an area where expertise is gained.

It can be exhilarating, it can be fulfilling and it can be frustrating - but there is also the satisfaction that by 'doing your bit' you are enhancing your community.

Qualifications

To be able to stand for the role of Parish Councillor a candidate must:

  • Be of voting age;
  • Be a British Citizen or an eligible Commonwealth citizen.

In addition:

  • You must be registered on the Electoral Register for the Parish which is held by Bassetlaw District Council;
  • You must have been a resident of the Parish for at least 2 years;

             or

  • Your main place of work for at least the least 1 year has been based in the Parish;
  • You have lived within 3 miles of the Parish for at least the last 12 months before the election.

You cannot stand for election as a Parish Councillor if any of the following apply to you:

  • You are employed by the Parish Council;
  • You are subject to bankruptcy restrictions;
  • You have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment (including a suspended sentence) during a period of 5 years before             Polling Day;
  • You have been disqualified under the Represention of the People Act 1983, or under the Audit Commission Act 1998;

Further Information can be found at Bassetlaw District Council.  See our 'Other Links' page.

Elections

Parish Councillors are elected at an election organised by Bassetlaw District Council once every 4 years.  These elections take place at the same time as elections held for Councillors for Bassetlaw District Council.  The Polling Station is usually at Clarborough Village Hall, with voting taking place between 7am and 10pm on Polling Day.  The resulting votes cast are counted in Worksop.  All voters have to be registered with Bassetlaw District Council in the usual way.  

A requirement for a photographic confirmation of your identity was introduced for the first time for the local elections in May 2023.  Further information can be obtained from Bassetlaw District Council.  See our Bassetlaw District Council link on our 'Other Links' Page. 

Candidates for the elections need to register with Bassetlaw District Council.

The period of election is for 4 years.  The last election was held in May 2023.  The next election will be held in May 2027.

Number of Councillors

Clarborough & Welham Parish Council has an allocation of 9 Councillors.  This is determined by the number of adult residents within the Parish.  All Councillors are elected at the same election.

If there are nine candidates or less standing for election as a Parish Councillor then all candidates are automatically appointed to the Parish Council without any election taking place.  If less than 9 candidates stand for election then that leaves vacancies on the Parish Council.

Vacancies

If there are vacancies on the Parish Council then these can be filled in one of two ways:

  • An individual can ask the Parish Council if they can join the Council.  The Parish Council then has to inform Bassetlaw District Council. Bassetlaw District Council then needs to determine if there are other residents wishing to become Councillors.  There is a 14 day response time for this.  Existing Councillors then vote on accepting this candidate if no further residents come forward.
  • The Parish Council can ask an individual if they would wish to join the Parish Council.  This usually happens if the individual has been working for or with the Parish Council for some time on a voluntary basis.  This is called 'co-opting'.

Councillors joining the Parish Council in either of these ways have the full voting rights and responsibilities of all Parish Councillors and must have the full qualifications as listed above.

 

     A group of Councillors

installing a new footpath gate

 

 

 

  • Clarborough & Welham Parish Council Parish Councillors