What You Need to Know Before Applying

What’s involved? Get ready to dive into the heart of your community! You’ll attend monthly meetings and keep up with various correspondences. You might also champion topics you’re passionate about, like finance, highways, or policing. While councillors are unpaid, they’re driven by a love for the community, and you’ll receive training funded by the Council.

Role Duration: Parish councillors serve for up to four years, with the option to stand for re-election. But don’t worry, you can step down anytime if it’s not the right fit for you.

Parish Council Duties: Parish councils make decisions on local issues such as planning and community facilities.

Councillor Responsibilities:  As a councillor, you’ll be the voice of Billing, helping shape its future and making impartial decisions for the benefit of the community.

Skills Needed: Bring your IT literacy, good communication, passion for the community, teamwork, and flexibility. Training will help you gain confidence and experience.

Political Affiliation: Billing Parish Council is apolitical, meaning councillors act in the community’s interest rather than for a political party.

Want to Know More? Contact the clerk on 01604 785447 or by email to arrange a chat or visit.

Eligibility Requirements!

To stand as a Parish Councillor, you need to:
• Be a British or Commonwealth citizen at least 18 years old
• Be on the electoral register in the Parish; or have, during the preceding 12 months,
owned land or property within the Parish; or your principal place of work in the
preceding 12 months was within the Parish; or have lived within the Parish or 3 miles for the preceding 12 months.
Certain legal and employment restrictions apply.
Before starting the process of standing for election, potential candidates need to be confident that they meet all of the requirements. Clink on the links below to find out more:

• Who does what at a parish council election and how to contact them
• When do you officially become a candidate?
• Who is responsible for candidate spending?
• Qualifications and disqualifications for standing for election
• Appointing your postal voting, polling, and counting agents

Ready to Join the Billing Parish Council Adventure!

If you ready to make a difference in your community, it’s time to become a Billing Parish Councillor! Here’s how you can embark on this exciting journey:

1. Download Your Nomination Form: Start your adventure by grabbing your nomination form here. It’s your ticket to the race!

Guidance for completing the nomination documents can be found here: The nomination form | Electoral Commission or view here for an annotated copy.

2. The Essential Trio: To make your nomination valid, you’ll need to submit three key documents:

• • Nomination Form
  • Home Address Form
  • Consent to Nomination

Nomination packs can be either handwritten or typed, but all signatures must be original (wet signatures).   The Returning Officer will not accept emails or photocopies of the final submission.

3. Submit Your Papers: To officially enter the race, your completed nomination papers must be submitted between 17 March and 4pm on 2 April to the Returning Officer by hand.

Due to expected numbers, West Northants Council will be running an appointment system for the submission of nomination papers. Appointments are 15-minute slots and can be booked by emailing ReturningOfficer@westnorthants.gov.uk with your name, date, time and location you’d like and a contact telephone number, or call the Elections Team on 01604 526130.  A member of the team will then contact you to arrange an appointment. You are welcome to just “turn up” at any of the locations during the dates and times given, however you may be required to wait until an officer is free to take your nomination paper and process it.

We are receiving nomination papers at the locations, dates and times stated below:

 The Abbey, Daventry

20 March – 9am – 4.30pm

26 March – 9am – 4.30pm

28 March – 9am – 4.30pm

 The Guildhall, One Stop Shop, Northampton

17 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              26 March – 9am – 7pm

18 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              27 March – 9am – 4.30pm

19 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              28 March – 9am – 4.30pm

20 March – 9am – 7pm                                   31 March – 9am – 7pm

21 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              1 April – 9am – 7pm

24 March – 9am – 7pm                                   2 April – 9am – 4pm

25 March – 9am – 4.30pm

 The Forum, Towcester

17 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              25 March – 9am – 4.30pm

18 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              27 March – 9am – 4.30pm

19 March – 9am – 7pm                                   31 March – 9am – 7pm

21 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              1 April – 9am – 7pm

24 March – 9am – 7pm                                   1 April – 9am – 7pm

If you have any questions, please do email returningofficer@westnorthants.gov.uk or call the Elections team on 01604 526130

This deadline is set in stone, so mark your calendar! 📅

Get ready to make a positive impact and have some fun along the way. Good luck, future councillor! 🌟

 

 

Candidate Spending

The following section provides guidance on candidate spending at parish elections in England.

This guidance covers:

• What is candidate spending?
• When do the candidate spending laws apply?
• How much can you spend?
• What records must you keep?
• Personal Expenses
• Unused and reused items
• Items received free of charge or at a discount and ‘notional spending’
• Splitting spending
• Spending to promote the candidate and the party
• Reporting your spending

Please click here for the Candidate Spending Form & Declaration for Parish Elections

Election agents are not required at parish council elections. The candidate has the main responsibility for complying with these laws, even if they appoint an agent to help with expenses.

Further information around expenses can be found at: Candidate spending | Electoral Commission

• West Northamptonshire Council unitary and parish elections

More information on the local elections including a timetable.

• Local Government Association Be a Councillor

Information and case studies to help you consider becoming a Parish Councillor.

• Elect Her

Elect Her is a multi-partisan organisation working to motivate, support and equip women in all their diversity to stand for political office in Britain.

 

Why You Vote Matters
While national elections often steal the spotlight, local elections are where the real magic happens! These elections have a direct impact on your everyday life.  Billing Parish Council plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for our residents. Here’s how they make a difference:
• MAINTAINING PUBLIC SPACES They oversee Parish parks, play areas, sports fields, and other green spaces, ensuring they are safe, well-maintained, and accessible to everyone.
• COMMUNITY PROJECTS They support initiatives that bring residents together, such as local events, heritage projects, and community programs.
• PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT They provide input on planning applications to ensure they align with the Parish’s needs and character and protecting local heritage.
• REPRESENTING RESIDENTS They act as the community’s voice in discussions with West Northamptonshire Council and other governmental bodies,
ensuring higher-level decisions reflect Billing’s priorities.
• IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE They address issues like road safety, footpaths, street lighting, public seating, and local transport services with West Northants Council, to enhance daily life for residents.

By voting for Parish Councillors, residents ensure their priorities are represented and their voices are heard. The Council’s work has a tangible impact on the Parishes appearance, functionality, and sense of community.

Registering To Vote!

Whether voting in person at a polling station, by post or by proxy (on someone’s behalf), there are some key deadlines to be aware of. If you haven’t registered to vote yet, the deadline to do so is Friday, 11 April. It’s a quick and easy process that takes just five minutes online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. If you’ve recently
moved home or changed your name, you may need to update your details to ensure you can take part.

For those who prefer to vote by post, applications need to be submitted by 5pm on Monday, 14 April. Voting by post is a great option if you’ll be away on election day or if you’d rather not visit a polling station in person. Your postal vote will be sent to you in advance, so you can fill it in and return it at your convenience.

If you’d like someone to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote, the deadline to apply is 5pm on Wednesday, 23 April.

One of the biggest changes recently introduced is the requirement for photo ID when voting in person. If you don’t have an accepted form of ID, such as a passport or driving licence, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.  The deadline for this is 5pm on Wednesday, 23 April. Without the correct ID, you won’t be able to vote at your polling station, so make sure you’re prepared.