Be a Councillor

If you are passionate about your local community, we need you to be a councillor. Councillors make a huge difference to the quality of life of local people and how local issues are dealt with. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities they serve to put themselves forward for election. Being a councillor is a varied and highly fulfilling role. You don’t need any experience or special qualifications, and you’ll gain lots of new skills, experience, knowledge, and confidence.

Want to know more?

We’re holding two online drop-in events to provide you with all the information you’ll need to become a councillor and to answer any questions you might have.

Join us to see how you can make a difference in your local community.

Online drop-in events on Microsoft Teams:

  • Thursday 22 October between 7pm and 8.30pm 
  • Thursday 12 November between 7pm and 8.30pm

Get involved. Make a difference. Make a change. Become a councillor.

Unitary Councillor and Town and Parish Councillors - What's the difference?

Town and Parish Councils are the first tier of local government, focussing on local priorities and community needs, while Unitary Councils are responsible for delivering major public services across a much larger area.

Unitary CouncillorsTown and Parish Councillors
Elected to Westmorland and Furness or Cumberland councils.Elected to Town or Parish Councils.
Responsible for major services such as Highways, Education, Social care and Planning.Focus on local facilities, amenities and community projects.
Make decision across a large authority area.Represent the interests of a specific town or parish.
Strategic service delivery.Community leadership and local advocacy.

Working together - Town and Parish Councils are the local voice of the community. Unitary Councils deliver wider public services. Both work in partnership to achieve the best outcomes for residents.

Find out what you need to do to become a councillor.

A councillor can represent their local community on a parish or town council, or on a unitary authority like Westmorland and Furness Council.

We provide information on the process of electoral nominations for all types of elections. We also publish a list of candidates for an election.

Ward and parish elections

Council and parish elections take place every four years. This is when all seats are open for election.

Ward and parish by-elections

Vacancies can also occur mid-term for other reasons. If this happens, a by-election takes place. All elections are publicised. You do not need any formal qualifications to be a Councillor. As long as you meet the legal requirements, you can stand.

To be a councillor you must be:

  • 18 or over on the day of nomination
  • a UK, Republic of Ireland, EU or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

and meet at least one of the following four criteria:

  • be registered as an elector (and will continue to be) in the district
  • have lived in the district for the past twelve months
  • have occupied as owner or tenant any premises or land in the district for the past twelve months
  • have had your main or only place of work in the district for the past twelve months.

You cannot stand for election if:

  • you work for Westmorland and Furness Council
  • you hold a politically restricted post for another local authority
  • you are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order
  • you have within 5 years before the election been convicted in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, of any offence that carries a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of not less than three months without the option of a fine
  • you have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 for corrupt or illegal practices.

Some candidates stand for a political party, but many candidates at parish council elections stand in their own right. Candidates at Council elections can also stand in their own right.

Each candidate for a district election must be proposed and seconded by registered electors from the electoral area they wish to stand in and have an additional eight assenters. Nomination packs contain full information of all the requirements.

Standing for election as councillor

You need to meet the age and residency requirements and the criteria set out above. Then you need to complete the Nomination papers.

Nomination papers - Local Government Elections England from the Electoral Commission website.

Returning nomination papers

You must make an appointment to deliver your nomination paper to comply with Covid requirements of the building.

New regulations mean the number of subscribers for these elections has been reduced. Candidates standing for a political party need to make ensure that they have a certificate of authorisation to use an emblem or an official description. Your agent can help you with this.

You can obtain all of the nomination papers, appointment forms and request for register of electors by email from the elections office on the contact details below.

To find out more about being a Councillor and about local Councils, see the links below: