Fancy being a councillor on the Isle of Wight? Well, there is still time to apply ahead of the upcoming elections.
The official nomination period started at the beginning of last week (22nd March) with candidates already delivering their application forms. A number of new faces, as well as returning councillors, are all vying for your support come the local elections on 6th May.
If you are thinking about running and getting involved in Island politics, or still yet to make up your mind, here is what you need to know about becoming a councillor…
What can I stand for?
Elections will be held for councillors to sit on the Isle of Wight Council and for local town, parish and community councils. There is also the chance to put yourself forward for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner.
For the Isle of Wight Council, all seats will be up for grabs with new ward boundaries splitting existing constituencies and creating new seats, shrinking the council by 1 seat to 39.
Which local councils are holding elections?
All 33 town, parish and community councils, from Cowes to Ventnor, Freshwater to Bembridge and every electoral area in between, will have open seats available.
To see which wards are available within the local councils you can find out at www.iow.gov.uk/azservices/documents/1174-Notice-of-Election-PTCC-May-2021-A3.pdf.
Who can be a councillor?
As set out in The Local Government Act 1972, anyone who is 18 years old on the day of election can stand. They must be a British or Commonwealth citizen and be registered to vote, as well as having lived, worked or owned property in the area for at least 12 months before the election.
Candidates can either stand as part of a political group or as an independent councillor. For example, the current make up of the Isle of Wight Council sees the Island represented by 23 Conservative, 8 Island Independent Group, 2 Independent Members Group, 2 Liberal Democrats, 2 independent, 1 independent Labour and 1 Island Independent Network councillors.
To stand as a councillor, and as part of the nomination forms, you will need 2 people who are on the local government electoral register to propose and second your candidacy.
The number of subscribers required for a candidate standing for the Isle of Wight Council was reduced from 10 ahead of the upcoming elections by the government, as a result of the COVID pandemic, to lessen the need for face-to-face contact.
How can you put yourself forward?
To become a councillor, you have to fill in forms of nomination.
For local parish elections, papers can be obtained from the clerks of the town, parish or community council or, from the same place you get the forms should you wish to stand for the Isle of Wight Council, Electoral Services in County Hall, Newport. You can either email [email protected] or phone 01983 823380.
When does the application period close?
The date for all applications to be submitted by is 16:00 on Thursday 8th April, whether you want to stand for the Isle of Wight Council or at town, parish and community council levels.
To submit your nomination papers, they must be delivered by hand to the Isle of Wight Council’s returning officer to 30 High Street, Newport, between 09:00 and 16:00 Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.
What else should I know about the upcoming elections?
The Island will head to the polls on Thursday 6th May and poll cards are currently being sent out telling you where you can cast your vote and what and who you are voting for in your particular area. Polling stations will be open from 07:00 to 22:00.
The deadline to register to vote is 23:59 on 19th April and if you have not done so but would like to, you can on the government’s website at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or request a form from the council’s Electoral Services.
While all the necessary COVID safety precautions will be put in place at polling stations, like social distancing, hand sanitiser and single-use pencils (although you can even bring your own), if you would prefer to vote by post there is still time to apply.
You can fill in the application online at www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote, by 17:00 on 20th April to request a postal vote.
Our freedom is being taken away from us.
Do Not Vote Tory
Get Labour. It will be a 100 times worse .Tory is the only way the working man should vote .
You prefer to vote for one of the others such as Labour or LibDems, who have openly said they want to put us back in the EU and open up our borders to allow everyone in?
Better things to do in life other bother with the council. Sack the lot, very top down.