WELFORD - Candidates Nomination Packs

WELFORD PARISH COUNCILLOR NOMINATION FORMS

Standing as a candidate

Becoming a councillor

If you are passionate about your local community, we need you.

Councillors make a huge difference to local people's quality of life and how local issues are dealt with. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities they serve to put themselves forward for election.

Elections to the council take place every 4 years.

Find out more about the process of standing as a councillor (Electoral Commission).

Who can be a councillor?

The easy answer is almost anyone, as long as you are:

• a British citizen or a citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union
• at least 18 years old
• registered to vote in the area, or have lived, worked, or owned property there for at least 12 months before an election

You can't be a councillor if you:

• work for the council you want to be a councillor for, or for another local authority in a politically restricted post
• are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order
• have been sentenced to prison for 3 months or more (including suspended sentences) during the 5 years before election day
• have been convicted of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court

Find out more about becoming a councillor (GOV.UK).

Nominations

Parish and town council elections within West Northamptonshire occur every four years. The next scheduled elections are due to take place in May 2025. The nomination period is a defined period of time that immediately precedes an election. Candidates who wish to stand for election to the position of Councillor for a town or parish must complete the relevant nomination pack. The nomination period will occur in one of two scenarios:

• A scheduled election - the nomination period will precede a parish/town scheduled election that occurs at four yearly intervals or
• Public Notice of Vacancy - the Returning Officer receives sufficient signatures requesting an election. These signatories are from registered voters from within the parish/town in response to a Public Notice of Vacancy. The request must be received within the 14-day period as stated on the Public Notice of Vacancy.

The timeframe and deadline for the receipt of nominations will be published within the Notice of Election. Prospective candidates should pay close attention to the deadlines for submission and the location of the relevant accepting office. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

How can prospective candidates receive a Nomination Pack?

• Parish and town clerks may receive requests from candidates for the Nomination Pack.
• We strongly recommend that prospective candidates refer to the comprehensive guidance notes available on the Electoral Commission website. Candidates will also be able to download additional copies of the template from here.

Notes to remember

• There are several different nomination packs available on the Electoral Commission website that correspond to different areas of Local Government within the UK. Candidates should take care and ensure that the pack they are completing is entitled 'Parish Council in England'.
• Nomination packs can be handwritten or typed. However, all signatures within the nomination must be a wet signature.
• The original nomination papers must be delivered by hand before the close of nomination to the relevant office as stated on the Notice of Election. The Returning Officer will not accept emails or photocopies of the final submission.
• All successfully nominated candidates must complete a Declaration and Expenses Return within the 28 days following the election. If the 28-day period ends on a weekend or bank/public holiday, the period is extended to the first working day.

Additional resources available

• Electoral Services will receive completed nominations by appointment only. Appointments generally last 15-20 minutes per nomination and will be made available Monday – Friday, 10:00-16:00. Appointments can be booked by email to electoralservices@westnorthants.gov.uk or by phoning 0300 126 7000. The office location will depend on where the vacancy occurs.
• Electoral Services will offer an 'informal check' of nomination papers prior to a formal submission. The informal check is designed to identify errors or missing information within the nomination papers. The check can be undertaken by emailing your intended final papers to electoralservices@westnorthants.gov.uk.
• By emailing your pack for an informal check, this does not constitute a formal acceptance of a candidate's nomination. Nor does it replace the requirement for the original nomination to be formally submitted by hand within the defined time as stated on the Notice of Election.

Nomination packs and submission - West Northants Council

Due to expected numbers, we will be running an appointment system for the submission of nomination papers. Appointments are 15-minute slots and can be booked by emailing ReturningOfficer@westnorthants.gov.uk with your name, date, time and location you'd like and a contact telephone number, or call the Elections Team on 01604 526130. A member of the team will then contact you to arrange an appointment. You are welcome to just "turn up" at any of the locations during the dates and times given, however you may be required to wait until an officer is free to take your nomination paper and process it.

We are receiving nomination papers at the locations, dates and times stated below:

The Abbey, Daventry

20 March - 9am – 4.30pm

26 March - 9am – 4.30pm

28 March - 9am – 4.30pm

The Guildhall, One Stop Shop, Northampton

17 March - 9am – 4.30pm 26 March - 9am – 7pm

18 March - 9am – 4.30pm 27 March - 9am – 4.30pm

19 March - 9am – 4.30pm 28 March - 9am – 4.30pm

20 March - 9am – 7pm 31 March - 9am – 7pm

21 March - 9am – 4.30pm 1 April - 9am – 7pm

24 March - 9am – 7pm 2 April - 9am – 4pm

25 March - 9am – 4.30pm

The Forum, Towcester

17 March - 9am – 4.30pm 25 March - 9am – 4.30pm

18 March - 9am – 4.30pm 27 March - 9am – 4.30pm

19 March - 9am – 7pm 31 March - 9am – 7pm

21 March - 9am – 4.30pm 1 April - 9am – 7pm

24 March - 9am – 7pm 1 April - 9am – 7pm

If you have any questions, please do email returningofficer@westnorthants.gov.uk or call the Elections team on 01604 526130