Parish Council Vacancy - How to be Co-opted

Could you provide a voice for people living in this community?

Would you like to have a say about the local issues people care about?

APPLY TO BE CO-OPTED using the application form

Eligibility of candidates – Washfield Parish Council can consider any person to fill a vacancy provided that:

They are an elector for the parish; or

They have resided in the parish for the past twelve months or rented/tenanted land in the parish; or

Their principal place of work is in the parish; or

 They live within three miles (direct) of the parish.

A candidate will be deemed disqualified for election/co-option, under the terms of the Local Government Act 1972, of which the main criteria are:

 Holding a paid office under the local authority;

Bankruptcy;

Having been sentenced to a term of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) of not less than three months, without the option of a fine during the five years preceding the election; and

Being disqualified under any enactment relating to corrupt or illegal practices.

Candidates will be required to:

Complete an application form available from the Clerk or website;

Confirm their eligibility whilst confirming they are not disqualified from holding the position of Parish Councillor.

All application forms will be treated by the Clerk and all parish councillors as strictly private and confidential and in accordance with the Council's 

A vote by ballot will decide who will be co-opted if there is more than one candidate. An absolute majority vote is required for each candidate from all members present and entitled to vote (LGA 1972 ch. 12. Para 39) (The applicant with the least number of votes casted will be deleted and the vote taken again and again etc. until the number of candidates equals the number of vacancies);

Where there is only one applicant there will be a vote to decide whether they should be co-opted.

Candidates will be furnished with a full agenda of the meeting at which they are to be considered for selection, plus a copy of the members’ code of conduct, acceptance of office form, Members’ Register of Interests form and standing orders of the council. The successful candidates will immediately sign their declaration of acceptance of office and can then act as councillors. They are to be reminded that their entry to the Members’ Register of Interests must be filled in within 28 days and a copy passed on to the monitoring officer.