Parish Council Elections 2011

Staplehurst Parish Council is now back to full strength with fifteen Parish Councillors having signed their Declarations of Acceptance of Office at the recent annual meeting. The newest member of the Council is Sam Lain, having been co-opted on 16th May.  He is also the youngest Parish Councillor, having just turned 18 earlier this year.

  

 

Becoming a Councillor   will outline what a Parish Council is and what it can do.  It also explores what a Parish Councillor is, what he/she can do and how much time it might take.  Other areas such as qualifications and politics (none required) are mentioned together with a brief outline of the nomination process to stand for election.  Case Studies about "Making a Difference" and "Life as a Councillor" are also part of this document. 

 

 The Good Councillors Guide is a useful handbook of advice about the roles and responsibilities that Councillors have. 

 

 It takes all sorts is another document which stresses the importance of the fact that anyone can be a Parish Councillor and represent their community. 

 

Power to the People is a guide to local councils and the benefits they can bring to their area.

 

Further information can be found on websites such as

 

The Electoral Commission at http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/elections 

 

National Association of Local Councils at http://www.nalc.gov.uk/Toolkits/Democracy/Elections.aspx

 

Kent Association of Local Councils at http://www.kentalc.gov.uk/

 

Maidstone Borough Council at http://www.maidstone.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/becoming_a_councillor.aspx