We are looking for enthusiastic, vibrant people of all ages who have the drive and ambition to want to make a difference in their local area and become a councillor.
If you can answer yes to just one of the following questions, we want to hear from you -
- do you want to improve your local services
- do you want to make a difference to your community
- do you want to help local people
Stand for election
View information on the next local election.
If you would like to become a local councillor, you do not have to be a member of a political party.
Qualification
A person is qualified to be a candidate for election to a local authority if he or she is -
- at least 18 years old on the day he or she is nominated
- British citizen, or a citizen of the following countries -
- Irish Republic
- Commonwealth
- a member state of the European Union
Candidates must also meet at least one of the following four qualifications (section 79 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972) -
- they are a registered local government elector in the local authority area, both on the day they are nominated and election day
- they have occupied, as owner or tenant, any land or premises in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day they are nominated and election day
- they have had their principal or only place of work in the local authority area during the 12 months before the day they are nominated and election day
- they have lived in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day they are nominated and election day
Disqualification
Under section 80 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 a person is disqualified from election to a local authority if he or she -
- is employed by or holds a paid office under that local authority (including joint boards or committees)
- has been adjudged bankrupt, or has made a composition or arrangement with creditors
- has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence) without the option of a fine, during the five years before the day of election
- has been disqualified under Part III of the Representation of the People Act 1983 or under the Audit Commission Act 1998
A person may also be disqualified from election if they have been convicted or reported guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court, or if they have been disqualified from standing for election to a local authority following a decision of the Adjudication Panel for England.
Additionally, the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 defines a number of politically restricted posts under a local authority, holders of which are disqualified from election to and membership of a local authority.
All the requirements for becoming a councillor are outlined in the Local Government Act 1972.
You will need to refer to this to make sure that you qualify.
How to become a candidate
Firstly, you must decide whether you wish to stand as a candidate on behalf of a political party or as an independent candidate.
- if you wish to stand as a party candidate, you must apply to that political party and go through their selection process. You cannot stand as a candidate on behalf of any political party without their permission
- if you wish to stand as an independent, you must decide which ward within the Hull city boundary you wish to represent. You do not have to live in the ward in order to stand as a candidate but, obviously, if you are standing as an independent candidate, a local connection does help
What to do next
To become a councillor, you need to be nominated for election. To be nominated, you will need a 'proposer', that is someone who will put your name forward as a candidate, a 'seconder', someone who will back up the proposer, and eight 'assentors', eight people who will agree to the proposal. All these people must be electors of the ward for which you wish to stand for election.
If you are nominated, you must complete a 'Consent to Nomination' form. This can be obtained from us if you are an independent party or will be provided by your chosen party. The form must be returned by the date given on the form. If the election is contested, in other words if there should be more than one candidate, a poll will then take place on a specified date.
Nomination papers and guidance are available to download from the Electoral Commission website.
Printed copies are available from Electoral Services at the Guildhall in the run-up to an election.
Contact Us
Email - electoral.services@hullcc.gov.uk
Telephone - 01482 613 386.