The elections for Town Council seats will be held on 6 May 2021. Nominations for people wishing to stand for election as Town Councillors close at 16:00 on 8 April 2020 so you don’t have long to think about standing for election yourself. Yes, you.
Anyone over 17 can express an interest although there are some other rules (see the small print below).
If you want to make a difference to Desborough’s community by becoming a Councillor you can help keep it a great place to live and work. You will be supported in your role and will be expected to undertake training. You should be comfortable working electronically, have a positive outlook, a can-do attitude, and be willing to work as part of a team.
If you are interested in joining the Council please ask Kettering Borough Council for nomination details. If you want an informal chat about becoming a Councillor please speak to any of the existing Councillors or contact the Town Clerk, Graham Thomson on info@desboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk
The Town Council currently meets in the evening on the third Thursday the month at 7 o’clock. Currently physical, in-person, meetings are not allowed so all meetings are held online using Zoom.
Are you concerned about Desborough and do you want to ensure that our community gets the right services?
Do you want to:-
-
- represent the views of local people and ensure that community interests are taken into account?
- pursue your political beliefs?
- contribute your business or professional skills?
- extend what you are already doing through a political party, trade union, charity, voluntary group, or school governing body?
then becoming a councillor can be the next step.
The Small Print
To stand for election to become a town councillor you must be:
- At least 18 years old on the day of your nomination, and
- A British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union
You must also meet at least one of the following four qualifications:
- You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector in Desborough parish from the day of your nomination onwards
- You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the Desborough parish during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election
- Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the Desborough parish
- You have lived in the Desborough parish area (or within three miles of it) during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.
Disqualifications from standing
There are certain people who are disqualified from being elected to the Town Council. You cannot be a candidate if at the time of your nomination and on the day of the election, any of the following are true:
- You are employed by the town council or hold a paid office under the town council,
- You are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order,
- You have 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 polling day
- You have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which covers corrupt or illegal electoral practices and offences relating to donations) or under the Audit Commission Act 1998
A person may also be disqualified from election if they have been disqualified from standing for election to a local authority following a decision of the First-tier Tribunal (formerly the Adjudication Panel for England or Wales).