Have YOU thought of becoming a Parish Councillor for MALPAS?

Have YOU thought of becoming a Parish Councillor for Malpas?

Parish Councillors are elected by the public and usually serve four-year terms.

The last elections were held in 2019.

Recently, two of the fourteen seats on Malpas Parish Council have become vacant and, therefore, there will be a by-election on 6 May 2021.

Successful candidates will be elected for two years.

If you have a keen interest in local matters, would like to get involved with community projects and make Malpas an even better place to live, work and visit, both now and in the future, then please consider becoming a candidate.

Once elected Parish Councillors tend to focus on issues or projects in which they have a particular expertise or a special interest.

The main business meetings are usually held in the Jubilee Hall once a month, on the second Monday, and last about two hours.
Other meetings, including the Planning Committee, are arranged as necessary.

There is informal contact between Parish Councillors and the Clerk by email on a regular basis.

But what is involved in the Parish Council election process?

Eligibility
In order to be eligible to stand as a Parish Councillor you must either:-
-Be a registered local government elector for the area of the parish; OR
-During the past twelve months have resided in the parish or within 3 miles of the parish boundary; OR
-Have your principal, or only, place of work within the parish for twelve months, OR
-Having for the whole of twelve months occupied as either owner or tenant any land or other premises in the parish.

Nomination Process
A prospective candidate must deliver to the Returning Officer a valid nomination paper.

This form is obtained from the Elections Team (contact by email – elreg@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or telephone: 01244 977084)

The candidate's surname, forenames, residence and political description (if required) must be entered and his or her number and prefix letter from the current register of electors.

The Returning Officer has a copy of this register, as does the Clerk of the Parish Council.

The nomination paper must also contain similar particulars of a proposer and a seconder.

Both the proposer and seconder must be electors for the area for which the candidate seeks election and they must sign the nomination paper.

The Election Timetable
Publication of Notice of Election – Thursday 25 March 2021
Receipt of Nominations – 4:00 pm Thursday 8 April 2021
Withdrawal of Candidate – 4:00 pm Thursday 8 April 2021
Publication of Statements of Persons Nominated – 4:00 pm Friday 9 April 2021
Publication of Notice of Poll – Tuesday 27 April 2021
Polling Day – 7:00 am to 10:00 pm Thursday 6 May 2021

What Next?
The Returning Officer is appointed by Cheshire West and Chester Council and is the person responsible for the conduct and arrangement for all parish and town council elections.

If you are considering becoming a candidate for election please contact the Returning Officer to obtain any further detailed information.

Further Information
If you require any further information about the role of a parish councillor and what is involved please contact the Clerk to Malpas Parish Council.
Email:- malpaspc@hotmail.com
Tel:- 01948 770678