Communities and Local Government

• Local government
• About local government
• How to become a Councillor

Local government

How to become a Councillor

Anyone interested in becoming a local councillor should get in touch with their local council who will be able to advise about the process of making an application. In addition, potential candidates may wish to refer to the Electoral Commission's website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk (external link) which provides more detailed advice and guidance on standing for election to a local authority and contains electronic versions of the forms that candidates are required to complete.

Potential candidates will also need to decide if they want to stand as an independent or as a candidate of a registered political party. If you decide you would like to have the backing of a recognised political party you will have to be selected as the party's candidate, before you can stand for election. If you are interested in being selected to stand as a candidate for a political party, you should contact the party concerned.

Qualification criteria for standing for election as a councillor

To stand for election you must satisfy the following criteria on the day you are nominated and on polling day:

• be at least 18 years of age on the day you are nominated; and
• be a British citizen, a qualifying citizen of a Commonwealth country, a citizen of the Irish Republic, or a citizen of another member state of the European Union.

You must also meet at least one of the four following qualifications on the day you are nominated and on polling day:

• be registered as a local government elector for the local authority area in which you are standing; or
• have occupied as an owner or a tenant any land or premises in the local authority area in which you are standing during the whole of the 12 months before the day you are nominated; or
• have had your main or only place of work during the last 12 months in the local authority area in which you are standing; or
• have lived in the local authority area in which you are standing during the whole of the last 12 months.

In accordance with section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972, a person is disqualified from being elected to a local authority if he/she:

• is employed by the local authority, holds a paid office under the authority or holds a politically restricted post within a local authority, as defined in s.2(1) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989; or
• is subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order; or
• has within five years before the day of election been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence) without the option of a fine; or
• has been disqualified under Part III of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which relates to donations and other offences). 

The above list of disqualifications is not exhaustive. The full range of disqualifications of candidates at local elections is complex, and some exceptions to the disqualification provisions may also apply. Candidates are, therefore, strongly advised to seek their own legal advice and consult the relevant legislation to ensure that none of the disqualifications apply when considering whether to stand for election as a councillor.

Role of your local councillor

If you would like to know about what the role of your local councillor is, you should get in touch with your local council who will be able to advise you.