Eligibility and Disqualification critieria for standing as a parish or town councillor

To be eligible to stand / be co-opted as a parish or town councillor in England, you must meet all of the following criteria:

Eligibility Criteria – S.79 Local Government Act 1972

1. Age – You must be at least 18 years old on the day of nomination/co-option.

2. Citizenship – You must be:

• A British citizen, or

• A Commonwealth citizen with the right to remain in the UK, or

• A citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or

• An EU citizen with retained rights (settlement status).

• Be registered to vote in the parish.

• Have lived in the parish (or within 3 miles of it) for the last 12 months.

• Have worked in the parish for the last 12 months.

• Have owned or rented land/property in the parish for the last 12 months.

Disqualification Criteria – S.80 Local Government Act 1972

You cannot be a parish/town councillor if you:

• Are bankrupt and have not been discharged.

• Have a criminal conviction with a sentence of three months or more (suspended or not) in the last five years.

• Have been found guilty of corrupt or illegal practices in an election.

• Are employed by the parish council.

• Are subject to sex offender notification requirements (i.e., on the Sex Offenders Register).

Further information can be found on the Electoral Commission website https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/guidance-candidates-parish-council-elections-england/what-you-need-know-you-stand-a-candidate/qualifications-and-disqualifications-standing-election