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.
The next community council interim election will take place in Autumn 2026.
Community councils below half membership or seeking re-establishment
The Interim Notice of Election was published on Thursday 20 August 2026 for community councils below half membership or seeking re-establishment.
If contested, the election will be held on Thursday 8 October 2026.
The nomination period for community councils below half membership or seeking re-establishment will run from Thursday 20 August 2026 until 12pm on Monday 7 September 2026.
Newly formed or merged community councils
The Interim Notice of Election was published on Thursday 27 August 2026 for newly formed or merged community councils.
If contested, the election will be held on Thursday 15 October 2026.
The nomination period for newly formed or merged community councils will run from Thursday 27 August 2026 until 12pm on Monday 14 September 2026.
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.
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, call the Electoral Registration Office’s team for advice.