DOWNHAM WEST PARISH COUNCIL HAS 2 VACANCIES FOR PARISH COUNCILLOR
If you are interested in community matters and wish to take on this active role, please apply in writing by email or post, or contact the Parish Clerk for further information.
The Parish Council has 7 Councillors, who are elected for a four year period or until the next ordinary election. The Council, which meets approximately 9 times a year in the Downham Market Methodist Church on Mondays at 7.00pm, is advised by the Parish Clerk, who carries out the administration of the Council.
A vote will take place to co-opt the new Councillor at the Parish Council meeting. You may be invited to say a few words in support of your application at the meeting.
Make a Change… Become a Local Councillor
Downham West Parish Council is calling on residents, passionate about their community, to consider this role.
What do Councillors do?
Councillors are the champions of their community and give residents a voice on the decisions the council makes. Becoming a Councillor will allow you to make a real difference in your community by engaging with residents, local groups and businesses to find out their needs; making decisions on which services and projects the council should take forward; and getting involved locally to ensure the services are meeting your community’s needs.
How long does it take?
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Local Councillor Census Survey found that Councillors put aside, on average, three hours a week for Council work. This often includes attending meetings, engaging with residents and speaking on behalf of the Council to other bodies.
Can I stand?
There are only a few rules to stand for election:
A person is qualified to be elected and to be a Councillor if they are a British, Commonwealth, Irish or European Union citizen and on the relevant day (that is, the day of nomination or election) they are 18 or over. In addition, the person must meet at least one of the following criteria:
(1) be registered as a Local Government elector for the parish in question, or
(2) during the whole of the 12 months preceding that day or those days, have occupied land or other premises as owner or tenant, in the parish/community, or
(3) worked in the parish/community as the principal or only place of work during those 12 months, or
(4) during the whole of the twelve months before that day have resided in the parish or within 4.8 kilometres of it.
Certain people are disqualified from standing, and these include paid officers (including the Clerks) of the Council, bankrupts and those subject to recent sentences of imprisonment.
How can I get involved?
Contact Sara Porter, Parish Clerk, at [email protected] or any Member of the Council to find out more.
