Parish councillors play a vital role in shaping the community by:
-
Making decisions on local services and facilities.
-
Managing the parish council’s budget and precept.
-
Representing the interests of residents.
If you are passionate about Stansted Mountfitchet and its community and want to make a difference, becoming a parish councillor is a rewarding way to get involved.
There are two ways to become a Parish Councillor.
The first is if you put yourself forward for election should there be more than two candidates (see Parish Council Elections below).
Alternatively if you are the sole candidate you can put download a co-option pack.
Then fill out and send in the completed application form to the Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council using the email address: info@stanstedmountfitchet-pc.gov.uk
Parish Council Elections
Parish councillors are elected representatives of the community. At Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council, elections are normally held every four years and are run by Uttlesford District Council’s Returning Officer.
To stand as a parish councillor you must:
-
Be aged 18 or over.
-
Be a British citizen, EU citizen, or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.
-
Have a local connection with the parish (for example, living here, working here, or owning property).
If more people stand for election than there are seats available, a contested election is held and local residents vote for their preferred candidates. If the number of candidates is the same or fewer than the number of seats, they are elected unopposed without a public vote.
Co-option of Councillors
If there are not enough candidates at an election, or if a seat becomes vacant during the council term, the Parish Council can fill the vacancy through a process called co-option.
This means the council invites applications from residents and then votes to appoint someone to the vacant seat.
When there are vacancies at SMPC, these will be published on this website and our social media channes.
If you are interested in filling a publicised vacancy you can download a co-option pack and get your application underway.
By-elections and Casual Vacancies
When a councillor resigns, passes away, or is disqualified, a casual vacancy arises.
-
If 10 or more local electors request a by-election, Uttlesford District Council will organise one.
-
If no by-election is requested, the vacancy can instead be filled by co-option.
Term of Office
Once elected or co-opted, a parish councillor normally serves a four-year term. At the end of the term, they may stand for re-election if they wish.
Why Become a Parish Councillor?
Parish councillors play a vital role in shaping the community by:
-
Making decisions on local services and facilities.
-
Managing the parish council’s budget and precept.
-
Representing the interests of residents.
If you are passionate about your village and want to make a difference, becoming a parish councillor is a rewarding way to get involved.