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Cayton Parish Council

Become a Councillor

Serving as a parish councillor is an important and rewarding way to support your community. Most people are eligible to stand for election, but there are a few legal requirements you must meet.

  1. Am I Qualified to Be a Councillor?
  2. Who Cannot Stand for Election?
  3. Election Procedure
  4. Nomination Process
  5. What Happens Next?
  6. Co‑Option
person standing near table

Am I Qualified to Be a Councillor?

You are qualified if, on the relevant day (the day you are nominated, or the day of the election), you are:

  • A British, Commonwealth, or EU citizen
  • 18 years of age or over
  • AND you meet at least one of the following criteria:
    • Registered elector for the parish
    • Have lived in the parish (or within 3 miles of it) for the previous 12 months
    • Have occupied land or premises in the parish as an owner or tenant for the previous 12 months
    • Have had your principal or only place of work in the parish for the previous 12 months

These rules also apply to sitting councillors seeking re‑election.

 

Who Cannot Stand for Election?

You are disqualified from standing if you:

  • Are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order
  • Have been convicted of a criminal offence and received a prison sentence of more than 3 months (suspended or not) within the last 5 years
  • Are employed by the council you wish to serve (employment with other councils is permitted)

For full details, please refer to the Electoral Commission guidance.

 

Election Procedure

Ordinary parish council elections take place every four years, usually on the first Thursday in May. Election years typically follow the cycle of the principal authority (North Yorkshire Council). Reorganisation of local government may occasionally alter dates.

 

Nomination Process

To stand for election, you must:

  • Complete a valid nomination paper
  • Submit it by hand or by post to the Returning Officer
  • Include your full name, address, and elector number
  • Have your nomination supported by a proposer and seconder, who must both be registered electors of the parish (or ward, if applicable)

Nomination forms are available from the Returning Officer, and the Parish Clerk can also provide guidance.

 

What Happens Next?

The Returning Officer at North Yorkshire Council is responsible for running parish elections. If you are considering standing, you may wish to contact them for detailed guidance.

For insight into the role of a councillor, you can also speak with:

  • The Cayton Parish Council Clerk – clerk@caytonparishcouncil.gov.uk
  • The North Yorkshire Association of Local Councils
  • Current parish councillors

 

Co‑Option

If a seat becomes vacant between elections—or if there are not enough candidates to fill all seats—the council may:

  1. Offer electors the opportunity to request a by‑election
  2. If no by‑election is called, the council may co‑opt a new member

Co‑option is carried out in line with the Council’s Co‑option Policy. Anyone interested in being considered for co‑option should contact the Clerk at clerk@caytonparishcouncil.gov.uk.