The next elections taking place on 4th May 2023 will be the full District/Borough and Town and Parish Council elections.
All current councillors will stand down and elections will be held to replace them.
Are you interested in becoming a Parish Councillor?
Join our local team and become a Parish Councillor
Are you passionate about your community? Do you want to help make a long-lasting change? Do you have innovative ideas for the council? Do you have concerns about a specific issue and want to do something about it? If this is you, then we need you. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect their community to put themselves forward to be elected to join the Parish Council.
No special qualification is required to be a councillor. It is important that all sorts of people serve as councillors to so that all parts of the community are represented. Training for new councillors is also available to help you understand the responsibilities of the role.
If you think you’d like to join the Parish Council or would like to know more, please get in touch with the clerk (clerk@harbertonparishcouncil.org) who is happy to talk with you about the role and what’s involved.
What do Parish Councillors do?
Harberton Parish Council is made up of 12 voluntary councillors, 6 from the Harberton Ward and 6 from the Harbertonford Ward. They meet once a month to discuss and act on issues that are important to the local community.
The Parish Council sets a proportion of local taxes to be spent in the Parish, comments on planning applications in the Parish and run projects that help maintain, improve or enhance the local area. Becoming a councillor is a rewarding experience as you will be able to make a change in your community to help improve residents’ lives.
Please see the following resources for more information:
All About Town and Parish Councils prepared by The National Association of Local Authorities (NALC)
It takes all sorts prepared by NALC in 2011 as part of a drive to encourage individuals from under represented groups to become local councillors.
Make a Change, Become a Councillor Campaign from NALC to encourage people from all backgrounds to put themselves forward to join Parish and Town Councils. The site includes a number of short films collated where you can hear from Parish Councillors about why they joined their council and what difference they hope to make.
If you are interested in the role and want to put yourself forward ahead of the 4th May elections, please follow the steps outlined below.
Nomination Papers are available from 6 March
District/Borough Council – please email elections@southhams.gov.uk or telephone 01803 861234 giving your name, address and which area you would like nomination papers for (and email address if you wish to receive the papers electronically).
Town/Parish Councils – The Parish Clerk has been provided with some nomination papers which you may request. Electronic copies are also available. Contact the Parish Clerk if you would like to arrange to have papers sent to you. Otherwise you may also contact the District Council’s election team directly on the contact details above, or download nomination papers directly from the Electoral Commission website.
Please click on the relevant election type i.e. Local elections in England or Parish council elections in England and nomination papers can be found under the ‘Resources’ section in Part 2a or 2b (depending on whether you are an independent candidate or standing for a political party).
Please also see links to the following: –
- Candidates Guide for District Council Elections
- Candidates Guide for Parish Council Elections
- Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents
Please note that nomination papers must be hand-delivered to the Returning Officer, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, TQ9 5NE between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., on any day (excluding weekends and bank holidays) from Thursday, 23 March but no later than 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 04 April 2023.
Candidates Guide
The guide includes information about the election timetable, nominations and withdrawals, Voter ID, Polling day and election expenses. The Electoral Commission’s Code of Conduct is also included, as well as a form to request a copy of the electoral register.
These guidance notes are only a brief outline of the main areas of interest to any candidate or election agent.
They are not intended to be taken as a full statement of electoral law. Candidates and their agents should refer to the Representation of the People Acts and related Regulations and The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 and take their own legal advice. Please visit the Electoral Commission Local Elections website for further information and advice.
The key dates for the election are as follows:
| Publication of notice of election | Thursday, 23 March 2023 |
|---|---|
| Delivery of nomination papers to the Returning Officer | Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Thursday, 23 March until the deadline of 4 p.m., Tuesday 4 April 2023 |
| Publication of Statement of Persons Nominated | No later than 4 p.m., Wednesday 5 April 2023 |
| Last date to register as an elector for the election | Monday 17 April 2023 |
| Deadline for submission of a postal vote application form | 5 p.m., Tuesday 18 April 2023 |
| Deadline for submission of a proxy vote application form | 5 p.m., Tuesday 25 April 2023 |
| Deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, if required | 5 p.m., Tuesday 25 April 2023 |
| Polling Day | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday 4 May 2023 |
| Day of the count | Commencing at 10 a.m., Friday 5 May 2023 |
Don’t forget, from 4 May 2023, electors voting at a polling station will be required to provide photo ID before being given their ballot papers. Please see Voter Authority Certificate for more information.
If you don’t have one of the acceptable forms of Voter ID, you may apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.