Being a councillor can be a rewarding experience, offering the opportunity to help shape the future of your community.
Councillors can be a voice for residents in the Parish and can make a huge difference to the quality of life of local people.
You can be part of a political party or stand independently for Local Elections. You don’t need any experience or special qualifications, but will gain lots of new skills, knowledge, and confidence.
Penzance Council needs people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities they live in to put themselves forward to stand as councillors.
Local councillors are the champions of their community who invest time in local projects and issues to the benefit of residents and the neighbourhood.
Councillors attend to local needs of residents, local groups and businesses, make decisions on local services, collaborate with district and county councils to adhere to local needs, and progress vital projects to invest in the future of the community.
Local Councils are the first tier of local government and are statutory bodies. They raise a local tax called the precept and use it to deliver services to meet local needs, decided by their elected councillors. Local Councils also give the community a voice on matters with the principal authority, and looks to improve quality of life for residents in the Parish.
Using the precept, Penzance Council provides services including public toilets, parks and play areas, allotments, Wellfields Car Park, ASB support and CCTV, and Penlee House. (Full list of services here.)
Councillors are expected to attend all relevant committee meetings and all Full Council meetings. Meetings generally last between one and three hours, and are held in the evenings.
You may be expected to attend community events and relevant projects funded by Penzance Council. You may also be asked to meet with resident groups, and hold your own Councillor surgeries.
Being a Parish / Town Councillor is an unpaid role, and the amount of time you are expected to to give can vary each month, depending on what meetings are scheduled, community events and enquiries from local residents.
Local Councillor Census Survey by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) found that councillors put aside, on average, three hours a week for council work.
You will be asked to complete a public Register of Interests published on the Cornwall Council website, and to abide by the Local Council’s Code of Conduct.
You will be asked to keep an open mind and take part in decision making for your area including spending money for local services and facilities.
You can stand as a candidate if:
Meet at least one of the following four criteria:
To stand as a Councillor you need to complete a Candidate Nomination Paper and must be nominated by two people who are included on the Electoral Register from the specific Ward you wish to stand for.
Nomination packs for candidates in the local elections can be collected from Penzance Council, Penlee Centre, Penlee Park, Penzance TR18 4HE. Tel: 01736 363405
Nominations papers must be submitted in person by the candidate or their representative at a Cornwall Council designated elections office no later than 4pm.
If a candidate has submitted a nomination and then decides they do not wish to stand, they must withdraw their name, otherwise they will automatically become a candidate for the seat and may be elected.
Candidates may only stand in one ward. If a candidate submits nominations for more than one ward and does not withdraw (leaving only one) by the deadline then they will be deemed to have withdrawn from all.
The statement of persons standing for election will be sent to clerks by Cornwall Council. This must be published prominently in the same way/places as the notices of poll. The notice will name all of those standing for election in the parish (broken down by ward if applicable).
Where a contested election will take place, Cornwall Council will publish a notice of poll for each ward, as necessary.
If the number of candidates does not exceed the number of seats on the Council there will be no poll and a notice will be issued and this is to be displayed prominently. The notice will confirm the names of the incoming Councillors who will take office on 6th May 2025.
Polling stations are open 07:00 – 22:00. Voters must present valid identification in order to vote.
The Count will take place after polling stations close, with Cornwall Council seats being counted first. The results of local council elections will be published on Cornwall Council’s website as each count is completed.
Previous councillors cease to be members and new councillors take up office. This is the first day on which summons can be issued to councillors (and agendas published) for the Annual Council Meeting.
