Stand for election to your community council
Community councils need people who care about their area. If you want to make a difference, you can stand for election.
What community councillors do
Community councillors help make sure the council works well. You must:
- commit to the role and follow our standards
- attend meetings regularly
- take part in discussions and decisions
- speak for the whole community, not just yourself
Each community council has between 7 and 13 members, depending on the population.
Who can stand for election
You can stand if you:
- are aged 16 or over
- are registered to vote in the area
To check if you are eligible to become a community councillor, contact the Electoral Registration Office.
When elections happen
Community council elections are held every 4 years. The next election will be in 2027.
An election will only take place if there are more nominees than the number of seats available.
The maximum number of members for each community council can be found in the Scheme of Establishment.
Types of elections
Regular elections
Held every 4 years. Residents can stand for election and vote for their local representatives.
Interim elections
These may happen if:
- membership drops below half
- a petition is received to restart a council that did not form
View documents relating to the 2024 interim elections
Co-opted members
You may be able to join as a co-opted member between elections.
To find out more contact your local community council.
Nominations
You can nominate yourself during the nomination period by filling in the online form.
Nomination papers are available from:
If you want to withdraw your nomination, email the Community council elections team and include your name and the community council you want to withdraw from.
Electoral Registration Office
If you are a resident in the area and have not registered to vote, or think that your name may be missing from the Register, please call the Electoral Registration Office’s team for advice.