Parish Council Vacancy

 
PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY
  
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER OF
MARHAMCHURCH PARISH COUNCIL?

Are you passionate about your community? Do you have the desire to help your community? Do you have concerns about a specific issue and want to do something about it?

We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect their community to put themselves forward for co-option to the Parish Council.

A statutory notice to advertise the vacancy in Marhamchurch was posted and no by election was called for therefore Marhamchurch may co-opt to fill the vacancy.  

No special qualification is required to be a councillor and the position is voluntary.
You must be:

• an elector for the parish; or
• has resided in the parish for the past twelve months or rented/tenanted land or other premises in the parish; or
• had their principal place of work in the parish; or
• has lived within three miles (direct) of the parish.

 
You must not:

• hold a paid office under the local authority;
• have been bankrupt;
• have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) of not less than three months without the option of a fine during the five years preceding the election; and
• have been disqualified under any enactment relating to corrupt or illegal practices.

If you think you’d like to join the Parish Council please email the clerk a personal statement which includes:
• Any relevant information you
• Why you are interested in becoming a councillor
• Confirmation that you are not disqualified from holding office as a councillor and are also qualified to do so.

If more people indicate their interest in becoming a Parish Councillor than the number of vacancies available, the Parish Council will make their decision by a majority vote at the next meeting.

What do Parish Councillors do?
Marhamchurch Parish Council is made up of 9 voluntary Councillors. They meet once a month to discuss and act on issues that are important to the local community.
The Parish Council sets a proportion of local taxes to be spent in the Parish, comments on planning applications in the Parish and run projects that help maintain, improve or enhance the local area. 
Becoming a councillor is a rewarding experience as you will be able to make a change in your community to help improve residents’ lives. 
Please see the following resources for more information:
All About Town and Parish Councils  prepared by The National Association of Local Authorities (NALC)
Make a Change, Become a Councillor Campaign from NALC to encourage people from all backgrounds to put themselves forward to join Parish and Town Councils.  The site includes a number of short films collated where you can hear from Parish Councillors about why they joined their council and what difference they hope to make.
 
Email your letter of application to the Clerk: Ellie Hawkins
[email protected]