Parish Council Vacancies
Nether Stowey Parish Council currently have two vacant seats.
If you care about Nether Stowey, want to help shape its future and are willing to give time to work for the community please read below to find out more about becoming a Parish Councillor. You can get the application form at Co-option application form (Word version) or PDF version to print. The Parish Council’s co-option policy is here.
Co-option Notice Jan 25
Could I be a Parish Councillor?
Being a Parish Councillor is a great opportunity to work for the community and help decide how to meet the concerns of residents and what is best for Nether Stowey. It helps if you’re a “people person” who enjoys talking to other residents but, more importantly, you need to have the concerns and best interests of the parish as a whole at heart. Councillors are community leaders and should represent the aspirations of the public that they serve.
Parish councils are the most local part of our democratic system and are closest to the public. Councillors are there to consider the information gathered and make a group decision on all matters, keeping in mind the best interest of the community as a whole. No individual Councillor is responsible for any single decision.
If you would like to become a Parish Councillor please speak to any of our current Councillors or come for a chat at the Parish Office. You may also find The Good Councillors Guide useful.
How much time does it take up and when?
On average, a few hours a week. There are some Councillors who spend more time than this – and some less – but all are expected to do something. In the main, being a Parish Councillor is an enjoyable way of contributing to your community and helping to make it a better place to live and work. Formal Council meetings are always held in the evening – as are most meetings of the other groups which Councillors attend to represent the village. Such meetings don’t happen every day, so it’s not going to take over your life. We understand that people who work or have caring or other commitments and are not always freely available.
Talking and listening to your fellow parishioners can be done at any time but you should plan to be able to attend the monthly Council meeting. In Nether Stowey meetings take place on the second Monday of each month at 7pm at the Church Centre. In general, to save costs and save eating into Councillors’ time more than necessary, we try to avoid separate committee meetings and cover all work at the Council meeting, but committee meetings are held where there is a lot of work to do (eg Budget meetings) or where there is a deadline and the next Parish Council meeting would be too late (eg Planning applications).
You may be asked to represent the Parish Council’s views at meetings elsewhere either regularly or on an occasional basis and all Councillors are expected to attend training or briefing sessions (usually 2-3 times a year). In your first few months there will also be training for new Councillors, aimed at helping you find your feet and to learn what Parish Councils can and can’t do and how the Council work.
What skills will I need to be a Parish Councillor?
Parish Councils benefit from diversity and we welcome interest from people of different ages, backgrounds, experiences and abilities. The most important thing is that you care about Nether Stowey and are willing to take an active role with the team. Good communication skills, problem solving and knowing the village are all generally useful skills: you may have other talents that can help. The Council can deal with all sorts of different things, so if you are passionate about environmental matters, have technical skills , are a whizz on social media or are good at making posters and organising events your experience or expertise will come in handy. And it doesn’t matter whether you acquired these from your professional life or from community, voluntary or life experience.
Who can become a Councillor?
Anyone can stand as a candidate provided they meet the qualification requirements. You should be:
- aged over 18;
- a British Citizen, or qualifying Commonwealth Citizen or Citizen of an EU country;
- a registered elector
and have:
- been Resident for 12 months prior to the day of election/co-option – either in the parish or within 3 miles of the boundary, or;
- occupied land or premises for 12 months as owner or tenant – either in the parish or within 3 miles of the boundary, or;
- had a principal place of work – either in the parish or within 3 miles of the boundary.
All Councillors are required to abide by the Code of Conduct (available here) and by law you must register financial, business and other interests in the Parish.
Am I excluded from standing?
You cannot become a Councillor if:
- have been declared bankrupt within the last five years if you have not repaid your debts.
- have been convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to not less than three months imprisonment (whether suspended or not) without the option of a fine within the last five years.
- you have been disqualified under any legislation relating to corrupt or illegal practices.
More information?
If you would like an informal chat with any of the current Councillors please contact them direct. Details are available on the Councillors page. Alternatively please call in at the Parish Office during working hours (10am-1pm, Monday-Wednesday and Friday).