Shaftesbury Town Council is increasing its number of councillors from 12 to 15 in 2024 to better serve its community and in line with guidance from Dorset Council.

If you are passionate about Shaftesbury and its residents, and are keen to make a positive difference, then we want to hear from you!

We are looking for people who are comfortable working as part of a team, towards shared goals, to put themselves forward for election for the new, expanded Shaftesbury Town Council in May 2024. Please note that this will be for a five-year term (then returning to a four-year cycle). 

Why stand for town councillor? The videos below will provide some useful information.

  1. What do parish and town councils do in your community? https://vimeo.com/907832696?share=copy
  2. What do parish and town councils do across Dorset? https://vimeo.com/907833217?share=copy
  3. Why becoming a parish or town councillor in Dorset matters https://vimeo.com/907833081?share=copy
  4. 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:

  1. they are registered as a local government elector for the parish or town council area in which they wish to stand; or
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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 (ie, since 2 May 2019); 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 your nomination form. 

Narrated guide to completing nomination forms for the May 2024 elections

The Nomination Timetable
  • Mid-February 2024 – The nomination form is available and found on the Dorset Council as well as Electoral Commission website
  • Monday 11th March 2024 – Notice of Election is published – Parish and Towns, Dorset Council 
  • Tuesday 12th March 2024 – nominations can be received (must be delivered by hand)
  • Friday 5th April 2024 (4pm) – deadline for receipt of nominations by Returning Officer. This is also the deadline for withdrawal of nomination.
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 Brie Logan, Town Clerk on:

Tel: 01747 852420
Email: brielogan@shaftesbury-tc.gov.uk

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.