District Council elections take place in Eden every four years when all 38 seats are open for election. The next District elections are scheduled for May 2011. Vacancies can also occur mid-term for any number of reasons. If this occurs a by-election takes place. All elections are publicised in the local press. You do not need any formal qualifications to become a Councillor, as long as you meet the legal requirements you can stand.
In order to be a candidate you must be:
- 18 or over on the day of nomination;
- a UK, Republic of Ireland, EU or qualifying Commonwealth citizen;
and meet at least one of the following four criteria:
- be registered as an elector in the district; or
- have lived in the district for the past twelve months; or
- have occupied as owner or tenant any premises or land in the district for the past twelve months; or
- have had your main or only place of work in the district for the past twelve months.
You cannot stand for election if:
- you work for Eden District Council;
- you hold a politically restricted post for another local authority;
- you are subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order;
- you have within 5 years prior to the election been convicted in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, of any offence and have had passed on to you a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of not less than three months without the option of a fine; or
- you have been disqualified under any legislation relating to corrupt or illegal practices.
Each candidate must be proposed and seconded by registered electors from the electoral area concerned and have an additional eight assenters. Nomination packs contain full information of all the requirements.
See Community Champions - Your Community Needs You (PDF: 1.3Mb / 1 page)
Becoming a Councillor in Eden (PDF: 328Kb / 19 pages)gives you some information about becoming a District Councillor in Eden; the time commitments, the constraints, the rewards and the demands placed on you over a four year term of office as an elected member of Eden District Council.
Information Sessions
Prior to this years District elections two informal information sessions will be held in the Town Hall for anyone interested in standing as a District Councillor and representing the people in the area in which they live. The sessions will be held on Tuesday 15 March at 4pm and 5.30pm see What Do District Councillor Do? (PDF: 105Kb / 1 page)for more details.
For further information:
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Contact: Democratic Services and Elections
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Address: Town Hall, Penrith Cumbria CA11 7QF
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Telephone: 01768 212253 / 212207
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Fax: 01768 890470
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Email: elections@eden.gov.uk
