Desborough Town Council
Co–option of Town Councillor
Thank you for showing an interest in becoming a Town Councillor. There is one vacancy on the Council, for Loatland ward (but you do not need to live in that ward to apply). The Council will consider eligible applications to fill the vacancy at the meeting of the Council on 21 November 2024. Please complete the form and submit your application before 09:00 on 7 November 2024.
Please verify that you are human
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Background
The law governing the election of local councillors is contained in several acts of Parliament and rules made by the Home Secretary. The principal legislation includes the Elections Act 2022, the Local Government Act 1972, the various Representation of the People Acts, the Representation of the People Regulations, and the Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) Rules.
The Council will vote on applications received and to be co-opted, a candidate must: be eligible for election/co-option as a Town Councillor for Desborough; complete the application form (and provide verifying evidence); provide a statement to be read at the meeting. At the relevant Council meeting their candidacy must be moved and seconded by existing Town Councillors (under the Council’s Standing Orders), and they must receive a majority of votes from those Town Councillors present and voting (Local Government Act 1972 Schedule 12 paragraph 19). If no candidate receives a majority of votes as set out then no co-option will be made.
Verification
The Proper Officer will verify the eligibility of applicants and may need to seek further information from applicants. Before being considered by the Council, applicants must provide satisfactory evidence of date of birth and proof of citizenship: a passport is easiest for this (a clear photograph or scanned copy will usually suffice - these will be deleted after the vacancy is filled). Qualifying candidates will be invited to attend the relevant meeting of the Council on 21 November 2024 to read their statement. There may also be an opportunity for an informal get together with existing Councillors beforehand if candidates so desire (please contact the Town Clerk if you are interested in this).
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Policy and Procedure
The Council's policy and procedure for co-options are on the Town Council website here
https://desboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk/documents/casual-vacancies-and-co-options-policy-and-procedure/
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Name
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First Name
Last Name
Date of birth (you will need to provide proof)
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Day
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Month
Year
Email
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Address
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Street Address
Street Address Line 2
Town
County
Postcode
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I confirm that (please tick all which apply):-
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I am the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or an interim bankruptcy restrictions order or a debt relief restrictions order or an interim debt relief restrictions order.
I 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 21 November 2024, and the ordinary period allowed for making an appeal or applications in respect of the conviction has not passed.
I have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which covers corrupt or illegal electoral practices).
I am subject to the notification requirement of or under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and the ordinary period allowed for making an appeal or application in respect of the order or notification has not passed.
I have been convicted of an intimidatory criminal offence motivated by hostility towards a candidate, future candidate, or campaigner, or holder of a relevant elective office.
I have been disqualified from being or becoming a member following a conviction under the Localism Act 2011.
I am otherwise disqualified under Part III of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (corrupt or illegal electoral practices and offences relating to donations), or the Audit Commission Act 1998, or other legislation.
I am employed by the Town Council or hold paid office under the Town Council.
I am employed by an entity controlled by the Town Council.
None of the above statements apply.
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Please tick any which apply to you:-
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I will be under 18 years of age on 21 November 2024 (you will need to provide proof)
I am not a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen, or an EU citizen with retained rights (you will need to provide proof - e.g. passport).
Neither of these applies.
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Please tick all which apply to you:-
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I have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the Town Council’s area during the whole of the 12 months before 21 November 2024.
My main or only place of work during the 12 months before 21 November 2024 has been inside the Town Council’s area.
I have lived in the Town Council’s area or within three miles of it, during the whole of the 12 months before 21 November 2024.
I am and will continue to be registered as a local government elector for the parish of Desborough on 21 November 2024 onwards.
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Supporting Statement
Please insert your supporting statement below.
For example: what will you bring to the role, why do you want to join the Town Council? This is to be read at the meeting (by you or on your behalf) and should be no more than four minutes long when read aloud.
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You can type this in separately and paste it in here.
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Declarations & Consent (please tick all which apply to you):-
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I confirm that I am qualified to stand for election and there is no reason why I would not be eligible for election as a Town Councillor
Information provided by candidates is deemed to be personal information held for the purpose of considering co-option. Eligible applicants’ names (and addresses if necessary for identification purposes) will be circulated to Town Councillors and their names will be published prior to the meeting of the Town Council at which the co-option will be considered. Other details and documentation in support of any application will be treated as strictly private and confidential. It will be retained after the co-option meeting for only one month unless the application is successful, when it will be destroyed after six months.
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By signing this form I consent to the use and disclosure of my information included in this application form.
I confirm that:-
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I will complete a Declaration of Acceptance of Office, Declaration of Interests form, and I will comply at all times with the Council’s Code of Conduct, Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, and all other Polices adopted by the Council from time to time.
Declaration
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I declare the information given on this form to be true, complete, and correct.
Signature
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Submit
Submit
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