CO-OPTION
Due to causal vacancies caused by resignations and no call for an election, Ludlow Town Council invites applications for Co-option in Gallows Bank Ward (1) and in Hayton Ward (1). 

Candidates must be qualified to stand for co-option.

The Local Government Act 1972, Section 79, sets out the qualifications for standing as a candidate and the grounds for disqualification of a candidate.

On the day of co-option, you must:

·         be at least 18 years old

·         be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the  European Union, and

·         meet at least one of the following four qualifications:

a) Your name must appear on the register of local government electors for the parish/community at the time of your nomination and throughout your term of office should you be elected.

b) You have occupied any land or other premises as owner or tenant in the parish/community during 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

c) Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the parish/community area. You do not have to have paid employment to qualify, as long as your main or only place of work is in the parish/community area. For example, Councillors who’s main or only job is being a councillor would be able to use this qualification, if their council office is within the parish/community.

d) You have lived in the parish/community area or within three miles of it during 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

You are disqualified as a candidate if:

·         You are employed by the parish/community council or hold a paid office under the parish/community council (including joint boards or committees).

·         You have been declared bankrupt in the last five years and has not repaid your debts.

·         You have been convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to at least three months imprisonment (including any suspended sentence) within the previous five years.

·         You are disqualified due to corrupt practices under the Representation of the People Act 1983 or the Audit Commission Act.

·         Candidates canvassing members of Council for co-option will be disqualified from standing for the vacancy.

 

For more information relating to these qualifications, please read the Electoral Commission’s Guidance.  https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf_file/Part-1-Can-you-stand-for-election-P-and-C.pdf 

If you are eligible and wish to be considered for co-option as Councillor, please complete the application form available on Ludlow Town Council’s website https://www.ludlow.gov.uk/your-council/councillors/becoming-a-councillor and return it to townclerk@ludlow.gov.uk by Friday 15th July 2022

Ludlow Town Council will hold a Co-option meeting on 1 August 2022. 
Candidates will be required to attend.   Further details of the meeting will be supplied to candidates in due course.