Candidates standing for election are usually members of a political party and they will advise you about the party selection processes. However, some candidates choose not to belong to a party and are called Independents.

To qualify as a candidate for election to the Borough Council you must ensure that on the day you are nominated as a candidate you are:

• 21 years of age or over.
• A Commonwealth citizen (which includes a British subject) or a citizen of the Irish Republic or a member state of the European Union.

and that

• You are a local elector.
• Or you have lived, worked or owned a property in the area.

You can be disqualified from holding the office of councillor for:

• Having a conviction for corruption or illegal practices.
• Being convicted within the last five years of an offence with a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for not less than three months without the option of a fine.
• Being an adjudged bankrupt.

If you want to stand for election as an independent candidate you should contact the Electoral Registration office to get advice on preparing your nomination papers and information about what else you need to do.

You don't need any qualifications to become a Councillor. A commitment to best represent your constituents is the most important qualification. It is recognised that Councillors bring with them a whole range of skills and personal qualities that they have developed through their work and personal experiences. They get to apply these in many ways along with the chance to develop new skills and expertise.