Councillor vacancies

Published: 24 January 2024

Councillor vacancies

Whimple Parish Council current has 5 vacancies for councillors, and are looking to co-opt new councillors at the Council meeting on 19 February 2024.

Why become a Parish Councillor?

As a parish councillor, you become someone your community will look to for help, guidance and support, a community leader with the power to influence decisions for the benefit of the people you serve.

Seeing your community change for the better because of decisions you have helped make, is something that will give you a sense of achievement and pride.

Parish Duties

The duties and functions of a parish council are many and varied so it is an interesting position to hold. The most common topics that parish councils get involved with are planning matters (they are statutory consultees), supporting local organisations, and campaigning for and delivering better services and facilities.

The Council normally meets twice a once a month (except August) on the first and third Monday of the month. Meetings may last up to two hours, depending upon the items on the agenda to be discussed.

There is also an annual parish meeting which all parishioners are invited to.

All meetings are advertised with agendas and supporting papers being published on the website at least three clear days before the meeting.

How long does a parish councillor serve for?

Once elected, parish councillors sit on the council for a term of four years. If they then want to stay in the post they can stand for re-election.

Councillors can also be co-opted, and their term of office extends to the next formal election.

Am I eligible to be a Parish Councillor?

To be able to become a Whimple Parish Councillor, you must be 18 or over and:

· be an elector of the parish, or.

· for the whole of the previous 12 months have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish, or.

· during the previous 12 months have worked in the parish (as your principal or only place of work), or.

· for the whole of the previous 12 months lived in the parish or within three miles of the parish boundary.

· be a least 18 years old.

If you are interested in being co-opted at the February 2024 meeting, please refer to the Co-option Policy and return the completed application form by 5pm on Monday 12th February to:

Amy Tregellas, Whimple Parish Clerk at whimpleparishcouncil@gmail.com

Co-option Policy

Co-option Application Form