Councillors
How to become a Councillor
Do you want to see a difference in your local community?
Do you think quality of life should be improved for your neighbours?
If the answers are yes and these are the kind of issues that matter to you, then
you could be just the person to help make that happen by becoming a Councillor at
this year’s Council election on Thursday 3 May 2012.
Schools, leisure, care services, parks, roads, environmental health, refuse collections,
trading standards, and arts and culture are just some of the services delivered
by Councils on a daily basis.
No other level of government gives you the chance to make such a difference to the
everyday lives of people and communities. And this could be exactly what you could
achieve after 3 May 2012 when voters across Scotland will elect the people they
want as their Councillors.
Who can be a Councillor?
Anyone can stand for election as a Councillor as long as they are:
- 18 years of age or over;
- British, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen (someone who does not need leave to enter
or remain in the UK or has indefinite leave to remain) or a citizen of any other
member state of the European Union; and
- meet at least one of the following:
- be registered to vote in the Council area;
- have lived in the Council area during the whole of the last 12 months;
- had main or only place of work in the Council area for the whole of the last 12
months; or
- have occupied any land or premises in the Council area during the whole of the last
12 months.
Some people are not eligible to be Councillors for legal reasons or because they
are disqualified under the nomination criteria. Further information can be found
on the Electoral Commission website.
Do I have to be a member of a political party?
You don’t have to be affiliated to a political party to stand for election as a
Councillor, although many candidates are. You can stand for election as an independent
candidate or on behalf of a political party.
If you wish to stand on behalf of a political party such as Scottish Conservatives,
Scottish Green Party, Scottish Labour, Scottish Liberal Democrats or Scottish National
Party (SNP), you will need to contact the party concerned in the first instance
to discuss the selection process. The party will support you through the official
nomination process if you are selected to stand.
If you wish to stand as an independent candidate, you need to ensure you are officially
nominated to stand for election.
How do I become nominated?
To become nominated as a candidate at a Council election, you will need to submit
a completed nomination form, which needs to be signed and witnessed.
Nomination forms are available from the Council’s Election Office – call 01292 612222,
email
election@south-ayrshire.gov.uk or call in to the County Buildings, Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1DR during
office hours. Forms are also available from the Electoral Commission.
Nomination forms can only be submitted between the date of publication of the notice
of election – which is expected to be Tuesday 13 March – until 4pm on Thursday 29
March. Forms should be submitted to the Election Office, County Buildings, Wellington
Square, Ayr KA7 1DR.
Every candidate who is nominated to stand at an election may appoint an election
agent (although there is no obligation to do so), who is responsible for the proper
management of your election campaign, particularly its financial management. You
can be your own election agent if you wish. If you appoint another person to be
your election agent, the person must agree in writing to being appointed. Details
of who your election agent is must be submitted to the Election Office by 4pm on
Thursday 29 March.
There is no requirement to pay a deposit at this election, unlike other types of
elections.
There is a legal limit on the amount that each candidate can spend at the election.
This limit is calculated at £705 plus 6p for every elector on the electoral
register in the ward you are contesting.
What happens next?
Once all the nominations are confirmed, a notice of poll will be published, confirming
the details of every candidate standing for election in each ward. It’s then up
to you to campaign for votes in your ward. Please note that Strathclyde Police has
advised that candidates must not use any photographs or images featuring police
officers/employees in any election materials.
You can appoint polling agents to help you with your campaign and to visit polling
places on polling day. Their details must be submitted to the Election Office by
Thursday 26 April and each person will be issued with accreditation by the Returning
Officer.
Polls open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 3 May and voters will cast their votes
using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral system, which is a form of proportional
representation and asks voters to rank candidates in order of preference.
Further information about the electoral system is available at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/how_do_i_vote/voting_systems.aspx.
The counting of votes will take place on Friday 4 May starting around 9am in the
Citadel Leisure Centre, South Harbour Street, Ayr KA7 1JB.
As a candidate, you are entitled to be present – along with a guest – to scrutinise
the process and to bring with you a limited number of supports called counting agents.
Details of those you wish to bring to the count must be submitted to the Election
Office by Thursday 26 April and each person will be issued with accreditation by
the Returning Officer.
Votes will then be counted electronically after which the details of those elected
to serve as Councillors for the next five years will be announced.
After the Count
All candidates must submit a form showing how much they spent on their election
campaign and related costs. This form, with relevant receipts and statements, must
be received by the Election Office by Friday 8 June 2012.
Who can I contact for further information?