NOTICE OF VACANCY IN OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR – SHAFTESBURY TOWN COUNCIL – EAST WARD
Have you ever considered becoming a town councillor? No prior experience is necessary, but you must live in Shaftesbury, feel a deep connection with the town and its people, and be motivated to enact positive change. It is also important that you are comfortable working as part of a team and working towards shared goals. Your life experience, everyday skills, passion and commitment to people and the community are vital, and it’s important that councils reflect the local population.
Why stand for town councillor?
The videos below will provide some useful information.
- What do parish and town councils do in your community? https://vimeo.com/907832696?share=copy
- What do parish and town councils do across Dorset? https://vimeo.com/907833217?share=copy
- Why becoming a parish or town councillor in Dorset matters https://vimeo.com/907833081?share=copy
- Parish and Town Councils are for Everyone https://vimeo.com/907832934?share=copy
Find out more about Shaftesbury Town Council.
Who can stand?
Candidates must satisfy criteria on the day they are nominated and on polling day:
- be at least 18 years of age
- be a British, qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or qualifying national of an EU member state.
Candidates should check the most up-to-date guidance on the Electoral Commission website with regard to qualifications.
A prospective candidate must also meet at least one of the following four qualifications on the day they are nominated and on polling day:
- they are registered as a local government elector for the parish or town council area in which they wish to stand; or
- they have, during the whole of the previous 12 month period, occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises in the parish or town council area; or
- they main or only place of work during the whole of the previous 12 month period has been in the parish or town council area; or
- they have, during the whole of the previous 12 month period, lived in authority area for Dorset Council or in the parish or town council area (or within 4.8 km/3miles of it)
A person cannot be a candidate if at the time of their nomination or their election:
- they are employed by the parish or town council or hold a paid office under that council; or
- they are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order in England or Wales; or
- they 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 election day; or
- a person may also be disqualified from election if they have been convicted or reported guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court, or if they have been disqualified from standing for election to a local authority.
What’s the nomination process?
We understand that the nomination process can be a bit daunting, so the Dorset Council have put together this helpful video guide on how to fill out an example nomination form.
Narrated guide to completing nomination forms for the May 2024 elections
The Nomination Timetable
Notice of Election Dorset Council
Election of Councillors for the area listed below
Parish or town area – Shaftesbury Town Council – Shaftesbury East Ward
Number of councillors to be elected – One
1.
Nomination papers must be hand delivered to the Returning Officer, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ between 9.30am and 4pm on any working day after the date of publication of this Notice (excluding bank holidays) but no later than 4pm on Friday 7 November 2025. Please make an appointment to deliver your nomination papers by telephoning Electoral Services on 01305 838299 or emailing elections@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
2.
Nomination papers may be obtained from the offices of the Returning Officer, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ, during the times stated above or can be downloaded from https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/guidance-candidates-parish-council-elections-england/nominations/completing-your-nomination-papers.
3.
If any election is contested the poll will take place on Thursday 4 December 2025.
Interested and want to find out more?
We have put together a short guide to becoming a councillor that runs through what Shaftesbury Town Council does as well as what is required of the role.
It is also worth visiting the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) website.
If you would prefer to speak to someone, please contact Billy Maddock, Interim Town Clerk on:
Tel: 01747 852420
Alternatively, the Mayor or current councillors will be able to advise you more about serving your local community— their contact details can be found here.
