Articles

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PARISH COUNCILLOR AND HELP TO MAKE THE PARISH OF MOLESCROFT A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE?

03/07/2024

There are currently 4 councillor vacancies on Molescroft Parish Council. 

The council can now fill these vacancies by co-option, a process whereby the council considers applications from interested persons and can then select people to fill the seats. 

We are looking for individuals with energy and passion, who want to make a positive difference and give back to their local community. 

The work of a councillor can be extremely rewarding. If you are interested in becoming a parish councillor, please write to the parish council and include details of why you would like to apply, together with the skills and experience that you feel you would bring to the role. 

If you wish to apply, require any further information about qualification for being a councillor, or just want more information about the role, please contact Laura George, Clerk to the Council, on clerk@molescroft-pc.gov.uk. 

There is also a lot of useful information about councillors and the parish on our website: www.molescroft-pc.gov.uk

To stand for election or co-option to become a parish councillor you must be: At least 18 years old on the day of your nomination, and A British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any member state of the European Union You must also meet at least one of the following four qualifications: You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the parish in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards; You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the parish area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election; Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the parish area; You have lived in the parish area or within three miles of it during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election. Disqualifications from standing: There are certain people who are disqualified from being elected to a parish or community council in England and Wales. You cannot be a candidate if, at the time of your nomination and on the day of the election, any of the following are true: You are employed by the parish council or hold a paid office under the parish/community council (including joint boards or committees), You are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order, You have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence), without the option of a fine, during the five years before polling day and the ordinary period allowed for making an appeal or applications in respect of the conviction has passed. A person who is in the process of making an appeal or application in relation to the conviction is not disqualified at any time before the end of the day on which the appeal or application is disposed of, abandoned, or fails by reason of non-prosecution, you have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which covers corrupt or illegal electoral practices). The disqualification for an illegal practice begins from the date the person has been reported guilty by an election court or convicted and lasts for three years. The disqualification for a corrupt practice begins from the date a person has been reported guilty by an election court or convicted and lasts for five years, unless at any time within that period a court determines that the conviction should not be upheld, in which case the disqualification ends at that time, You are subject to the notification requirements of or under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and the ordinary period allowed for making an appeal or application in respect of the order or notification has passed. A disqualification set under s.81A of the Local Government Act 1972 will only apply to a person who is subject to any relevant notification requirements or relevant order made on or after 28 June 2022. A person who is in the process of making an appeal or application in relation to the disqualification is not disqualified at any time before the end of the day on which the appeal or application is disposed of, abandoned, or fails by reason of non-prosecution, A person may also be disqualified from being or becoming a member of certain authorities following a conviction under the Localism Act 2011. The full range of disqualifications is complex and if you are in any doubt about whether you are disqualified, you must do everything you can to check that you are not disqualified before submitting your nomination papers. You must be sure that you are not disqualified as you will be asked to sign one of the required nomination papers to confirm that you are not disqualified. It is a criminal offence to make a false statement on your nomination papers as to your qualification for being elected, so if you are in any doubt, you should contact your employer, consult the legislation or, if necessary, take your own independent legal advice. The Returning Officer will not be able to confirm whether or not you are disqualified.