Running for Office

How do I become a County Councillor?

Becoming a Councillor in County Durham is an opportunity for you to make a real difference to the way the County is run. County Councillors decide on how the Council's Ł500 million budget should be spent and make important policy decisions about the provision of services and how the Council should carry out its functions and responsibilities. Councillors also play a crucial role in the communities they represent and they make decisions which affect the lives of everyone in the County.

The office of Councillor is a responsible position which leads to personal fulfilment and a sense of real achievement while carrying out a range of duties in the service of the people of the County.

Qualifications

A County Councillor represents the people who live within an area called an 'electoral division'. There are 63 electoral divisions in County Durham and therefore, we have 63 County Councillors.

Most people over the age of 21 who fulfil certain criteria can stand for election. To become a Councillor, you need to win a seat at a local election. Councillors are elected to represent electoral divisions for a term of four years, after which they all retire together.

The main political parties select their own candidates for local elections. However, you do not have to be a member of a political party to stand for election.

To become a candidate for election, you should be a British Citizen, a Commonwealth Citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a citizen of another Member State of the European Union. You should also either:

Be a registered local government elector within the area of the authority.
During the whole of the twelve months preceding the day on which you are nominated as a candidate, have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises within the area of the authority.
Your principal or only place of work in the twelve months preceding the day on which you are nominated as a candidate has been in the area of the authority.
Have resided in the area of the authority during the 12 months preceding the day on which you are nominated as a candidate.

Candidates must bear all costs when they stand for election.

Disqualifications

Candidates can also be prevented from standing for election or holding office as a member of an authority. Reasons for disqualification include:

Holding a paid office within the local authority.
Bankruptcy.
Having 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.
Being disqualified under any enactment relating to corrupt or illegal practices.
Holding a politically restricted post under a local authority as laid down in the Government and Housing Act 1989.

Every candidate must be nominated on a Nomination Paper. This must be signed by a proposer and a seconder, along with eight other electors who support your nomination. All those that support your nomination must be local authority electors from the area covered by the election. Your supporters should provide their electoral numbers on the Nomination Paper.

The next elections to Durham County Council are due to be held in May 2009. However, from time to time, by-elections can be held for particular electoral divisions within the County.

For more information on how to become a councillor, please contact us.

What is a Councillor?
What do Councillors do?
How long do Councillors hold their posts?
Councillor Role Descriptions
Current Durham County Council councillors