Becoming a Councillor
Residents of the London Borough of Barnet are represented by 63 locally elected councillors within the Borough’s 21 wards.
All Barnet Council’s 63 seats are up for election on Thursday 6 May 2010. This offers you the opportunity to stand as a representative of your local community and become a Barnet councillor.
People like you are councillors. The majority of candidates are nominated through a political party but you do not have to be a member of a political party to stand for election. Some people choose to stand as independents or for local organisations, such as residents associations.
Pre-Nomination Seminar
We are holding a seminar for anyone interested in becoming a councillor. The event will include a short speech from the Chief Executive of the council and a Member peer (a councillor from another local authority) to talk about what is involved in being a councillor. You will also be able to ask questions about being a councillor and the nomination process.
We would like to encourage anyone interested in becoming a local councillor in Barnet to attend.
Monday 22 March - 6.30pm – 8pm
Hendon Town Hall
The Burroughs
Hendon
NW4 4BG
Nomination period
Anyone wishing to stand for election must complete a nomination pack before the nomination period closes at 12noon Thursday 8 April. You need to speak to Barnet’s Election Team to get a nomination pack and let us know that you want to stand for election. The team will be available to answer questions at the seminar or you can contact them with the details below:
Tel: 020 8359 5316 / 5541
Email: elections@barnet.gov.uk
Be a Councillor
The ‘Be a Councillor’ website is extremely useful and can tell you all you want to know about:
- why to become a councillor
- how to become a councillor
- why people like you are councillors
- what councillors do
- how being a councillor fits into your life
- who can and cannot stand for election
For some, it is an extension of what they are already doing as they are active members of a political party or are in a trade union or on a school governing board.
You can also download the London ‘Be a Councillor’ guide
Election rules
The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. The Commission regulates party and election finance and sets standards for well-run elections. Their website can tell you everything you need to know about the rules governing elections, including campaign expenses.
You will need to keep a record of the money you spend during your campaign as election law governs the amount you can spend. You have to provide this information after the election
The amount available to spend is calculated for each election and will be included in the nomination pack. Details of expenses must be submitted to the council within 35 days of the election.
You can also download a comprehensive guide on the local government elections for agents and candidates.
Do I need an agent?
All candidates in the election must, by law, appoint an election agent, although you can be your own agent if you wish. One of the reasons for this is that electoral law can be complex and the penalties for failing to comply can be significant. Your election agent will receive all correspondence and notices from the council. They will also be entitled to attend the opening of postal votes, the verification process and the counting of votes. Among other things, your agent sees that the election campaign is conducted in accordance with the law and generally organises the campaigns activities. Agents must make an expenses return to the local authority within the specified period.
Email this pageLast modified by: Victoria Blyth on 15/03/2010