On Thursday 2nd May 2019 elections will be held for all 20 seats on Congleton Town Council as well as for the six Congleton ward councillor positions on Cheshire East Council. To be eligible to stand as a councillor you need to be aged at least 18, a British, Commonwealth or EU citizen, registered to vote in the area or have lived, worked or owned a property in the area for at least 12 months before the election. You cannot stand if you work for the council in which you wish to stand or another council in a politically restrictive post, are subject to bankruptcy, sentenced to a prison sentence of at least three months within five years of the election or convicted of corrupt or illegal practice by an election court.
If you wish to put yourself forward for election you need to decide if you wish to represent a political party – in which case it is a good idea to contact the relevant party as soon as possible – or if you wish to stand as an independent. All candidates need to be officially nominated by 10 people registered to vote in the ward in which they wish to represent. Nominations will open on the 15th March and close on the 3rd April.
Nomination packs and more information about the election processes and procedures will be available at a candidate briefing session being hosted by Cheshire East Council elections office. This is being held in Congleton Town Hall on Monday 25th February. Entrance will be limited to those who have booked their place prior to the event. To reserve a place contact Cheshire East Elections Team on electoral.information@cheshireeast.gov.uk or phone 01270 685922. The candidate briefing for Borough Councillors is at 5.30pm and for Town and Parish Councillors at 7pm.
There are 20,000 local councillors in England and all with have their own reasons for running. The role offers a chance to make a difference to the quality of life of people in your area and to represent their views. Town Councillors are not paid. The amount of time committed to the role varies from councillor to councillor.
