Would You Like to Become a Town Councillor?

Town and Parish Elections are held every four years. The last full election took place in New Romney in May 2019. In between elections, casual vacancies may arise for any number of reasons. Casual vacancies are filled by a by-election, if called, as and when they occur or, if no by-election is called, casual vacancies may then be filled by co-option.

Town and Parish Councillors are elected for a term of four years and must seek re-election at the next full election if they wish to remain in office. Councillors that are elected mid-term as the result of a by-election or are co-opted onto the Council mid-term must also seek re-election at the next full election.

If you are interested in standing as a Town Councillor, please contact the Town Clerk, in the first instance, to arrange a brief meeting and provide you with further information:

Mrs Catherine Newcombe

Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer

New Romney Town Council

Town Hall

High Street

New Romney

Kent TN28 8BT

Email: town.clerk@newromney-tc.gov.uk

Tel: 01797 362348

You can stand for election to the Town Council or co-option onto the Town Council if you are:

• A British Citizen or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union and

• 18 years or older on the day you become nominated for election

• You are registered as a local government elector for the parish of New Romney; or

• You have, for the whole 12 month period up to the date of election, occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish; or

• Your principal or only place of work during that same 12 month period has been in the parish of New Romney; or

• You have, during the whole of that same 12 month period resided in the parish of New Romney or within 4.8kilopmetres (3 miles) of it.

You cannot stand for election to the Town Council or co-option onto the Town Council if:

• You are employed by New Romney Town Council or hold a paid office under the Council (including employment by any joint committees of the Council).

• You are the subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order.

• You have, within five years before the day of election, been convicted in the United Kingdom of any offence and have had a prison sentence (whether suspended or not) for a period of over three months without the option of a fine.

• You have been disqualified under Part III of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which relates to donations and other offences) or under the Audit Commission Act 1998.

A Town Councillor has volunteered to give of his / her time freely to represent the residents of the parish of New Romney by:

• Suggesting ideas

• Engaging in constructive debate

• Responding to the needs and views of the community

• Behaving in an ethical way

• Commenting on proposals

• Helping the Council to make decisions

No, you do not have to be, as New Romney Town Council is not a political Council and Councillors sit as independent Members of the Council.

More detailed information about standing for election as a town or parish councillor is available in the guidance for candidates published by the Electoral Commission:

• Guidance for Candidates and Agents Standing at Local Government Elections in England