There will be an election in May 2019 for Barton Mills Parish Council and other Local Councils.
Elections are held every four years. The current councillors will stand down and the new councillors will take office on 7th May 2019.
There are two outcomes of an election:
Contested – more candidates than seats – a poll is held
Uncontested – the same or less candidates than seats – no poll is held
How to stand for the election
To stand as a councillor you must qualify to stand and you must be nominated and submit a Candidate Consent form.
The rules of qualifying to stand are as follows:
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· You must be aged 18 or over
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· You must be a British citizen or citizen of Rep. of Ireland or other member state EC
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· You must be a registered elector in the Parish or;
In whole 12 months before nomination you have:
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· Occupied land/premises or
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· Resided in parish (or within 3 miles) or
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· Had principal or only place of work in the parish.
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· You have not held office or employment with the Parish Council
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· You have not been to subject to Bankruptcy restriction or interim order
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· You have not been convicted in the last 5 years and imprisoned for not less than three months
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· You have not been found guilty of corrupt/illegal practises, or responsible for incurring unlawful expenditure and court orders and disqualification
Nomination packs can be completed from the date of Publication of Notice of Election which is planned for 22nd March 2019.
Although Nomination packs can be obtained now from the following website page: https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Council/Voting_and_Elections/upload/Nomination-pack-incl-election-agent-notification-form-LGEnew-2.pdf
The nomination papers and consent forms should be completed correctly and hand delivered to West Suffolk House by 4pm on 3rd April 2019.
It is suggested you hand deliver the forms personally so that if an error has been made this can be rectified when handing over your papers as these will be checked on delivery.
Statement of Persons Nominated
On the 4th April a Statement of Person nominated (RO) this will be received detailing all persons nominated and whether the results show a contested or uncontested election.
Uncontested Election
The candidates will take office on 7th May 2019 and all outgoing councillors retire.
Annual Parish Council Meeting to take place between 7th and 23rd May.
Contested Election
If there is a contested election then a poll will be held on Thursday 2nd May.
The results of the Poll will be published at place of count and at the District Council, a copy will be sent to the clerk and to the individuals elected.
The candidates will take office on 7th May 2019 and all outgoing councillors retire.
Annual Parish Council Meeting to take place between 8th and 23rd May.
Withdrawal
You may withdraw as a candidate by giving notice to the Returning Officer, this must be signed by the candidate and hand delivered by the deadline of 4pm on the 3rd April 2019.
The Annual Parish Council Meeting
The Annual Parish Council Meeting must take place on between the 4th day of the election and 14 days following that.
This is with the exception of the outgoing Chairman who will Chair the Annual Parish Council Meeting until item ‘Appoint a Chairman’ (which should be the first item) is resolved, the new Chairman will then take chair.
Uncontested, 7-23rd May and if contested 8-23rd May, this allows for summons to be sent.
The clerk at the meeting will present each member with a welcome pack which will include Declaration of Acceptance of Office (which must be signed at the meeting) a Register of Interests to complete, GDPR consent form, Confirmation to receive Summonsed electronically form, and the councils Standing Orders.
Further information can be found at the following website page:
https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Council/Voting_and_Elections/current-elections-and-vacancies.cfm
If you would like to become part of your Parish Council and help improve the local area please do consider standing for council.
The council meet every first Tuesday of the month in the Village Hall at 7:30pm, to find out more of what is involved please come along to our next meeting on 5th March.