Would you like to become a Parish Councillor?

Why become a Parish Councillor?
As a parish councillor you become someone your community will look to for help, guidance and support. A member of the community with the power to influence decisions for the benefit of the parish. Seeing your community change for the better, as a result of decisions you have helped to make, is something that can give you a sense of achievement and pride. The Parish of Beaworthy is situated in a beautiful rural area of Devon with a rich farming history. The Parish Council helps to ensure the area continues to be a desirable place to live, work and visit.

Am I eligible to be a Parish Councillor?
To stand for election/co-option on a parish council, you must:

• be a UK or commonwealth citizen, or;
• be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or;
• be a citizen of another Member state of the European Union;
• be at least 18 years old.
• To be eligible to stand for an election for a particular parish, you must:
• be an elector of the parish, or;
• for the whole of the previous 12 months have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish, or;
• during the previous 12 months have worked in the parish (as your principal or only place of work), or;
• for the whole of the previous 12 months lived in the parish or within three miles of the parish boundary.

How long does a Parish Councillor serve for?
Once elected, parish councillors sit on the council for a maximum of four years. If they then want to stay in the post, they can stand for re-election.

Don’t take our word for it!
The best way to find out what it’s like to be a parish councillor is to talk to someone who’s doing it now. Come along to a parish council meeting, contact the Clerk or speak to one of our councillors and find out what they think of the role.