Stand as a Local Candidate
How you can support your community
Members of local authorities can make a real difference to the environment and quality of life in their local areas, particularly the functions and services provided by their local authority. Should you wish to represent your local community and speak up about issues which are important to them, then you may wish to consider standing for election as a Councillor or Commissioner.
For a snapshot of what a typical day in the life of a Councillor or Commissioner entails, please contact the local authority of the area you are intending to stand in. You might also wish to consider attending a public Board meeting to assist in giving you an overview of the workings of local authorities and to give you an idea of what might be expected of you should you become elected.
The Island's local authorities are responsible for carrying out a variety of different services and in 2015 they agreed to take on additional functions, such as, street cleaning, gully emptying, removal of weeds, maintenance of highway verges and hedge trimming. For more information on the services carried out by local authorities, please view the local authorities page.
Your first point of call, should you be interested in becoming a Councillor or Commissioner, would be to contact the local authority of the area you intend on standing in. They can talk you through the nominations process, and provide you with a nomination form along with instructions on how to complete it.
Standing for Election
When a Local Authority General Election or By-Election is announced specific documents will be made available on this page for anyone who wishes to stand as a candidate – please see the Downloadable Documents box on this webpage. Please note that if multiple Local Authorities are holding elections each document is specific to one Local Authority so please ensure you download the correct version.
These key documents include guidance and reference to the relevant sections of legislation but in summary are:
- Nomination Form – this form must be completed by each candidate and should include the details of a proposer, seconder and no less than 8 electors.
- Declaration of Relevant Interests – this form must be submitted along with the Nomination form at the time of standing for election.
- Declaration of donations by candidates - candidates must record donations they make.
- Declaration of donations received – candidates must record donations they receive.
- Declaration of expenses – candidates must record their election expenses and ensure they do not spend in excess of the prescribed amounts.
Also available from the Downloadable Documents section of this webpage is the Guidance for Candidates document. This document provides more detailed guidance to inform and support candidates who wish to stand for election to any of the Local Authorities.
