Every four years, Parish Councils are required to hold an election for membership of the Council. Following last year’s cancelled elections due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Parish Council elections will be held this year. Elections for Buckinghamshire Council will also take place at the same time, along with the Police and Crime Commissioner election. These will take place on Thursday 6th May.
We are encouraging anyone who would like to represent their community to come forward and stand for election. Only 4 of the existing Councillors will be standing for re-election. Ideally, all age groups and a wide demographic should be represented on the Council ranging from all the villages and hamlets within the parish.
Turville Parish Council has 5 Councillors in total on the Council. If more than five people stand for election, then there will be a ballot and the five candidates with the most votes are elected.
A Parish Council is the first tier of local government that makes decisions on behalf of the people in the parish and makes representations on their behalf to other bodies for example on planning matters. It is the level of government closest to the community, with the unitary authority of Buckinghamshire Council above it. As it is the authority closest to the people, the Parish Council is quite often the first place people will go with concerns or ideas.
Who can become a Parish Councillor?
Any resident of the Turville parish who:
- has 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 nomination and the day of election;
- is at least 18 years old;
- is a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union.
Also, you’d need to 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;
- 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/community area;
- you have lived in the Parish or within three miles of it during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election;
- you have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the Parish during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.
What do Parish Councils do?
Parish Councils make all kinds of decisions and make representations to other local and national bodies, on issues that affect the local community. There are limited powers to make decisions, but Parish Councils do have the ability to negotiate with the other organisations that do make the final decisions.
For further information, or an informal chat please contact Lorna Coldwell, Parish Clerk:
turvilleparishcouncil@gmail.com
The Electoral Commission has further information including nomination papers.
The Good Councillors Guide is a good introduction to the work of Parish Councils.
General information about becoming a Parish Councillor can be found on the National Association Local Councils website.
There are more details from Buckinghamshire Council about elections, and more information about the nomination and election process can also be obtained by contacting Buckinghamshire Council directly: elections@buckinghamshire.gov.uk