A by-election will be held on Thursday 6th November to elect one councillor
Following a resignation, an election is to be held for ONE councillor for Penzance Council in the Penzance Promenade Ward on Thursday 6th November 2025. Following the election, the successful candidate will join the other 19 members of Penzance Council and serve until the first week of May 2029.
Why become a town councillor?
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 have a positive impact on the quality of life of local people. You don’t need any experience or special qualifications, but will gain lots of new skills, knowledge, and confidence.
What is expected of a town councillor?
Councillors are expected to attend all relevant committee meetings and all Council meetings. Meetings generally last between one and two 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.
You will be asked to complete a public Register of Interests published on the Cornwall Council website, and to abide by the 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.
How to stand as a candidate in the Penzance Promenade Ward By-Election:
Nomination papers may be obtained from the Deputy Returning Officer at Cornwall Council, 4S, County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro, TR1 3AY (01872 324196) or email: [email protected]
Nomination papers must be submitted in person no later than 4pm on Friday 10th October 2025 to the following location on the specified dates and times:
- 3rd, 6th, 8th or 10th October to the Deputy Returning Officer, Cornwall Council, 4S, County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro, TR1 3AY, between the hours of 10am–1pm and 2pm–4pm
- 7th October to the Deputy Returning Officer, Cornwall Council, Mayor’s Parlour, St John’s Hall, Alverton Street, Penzance, TR18 2QR, between the hours of 10am–1pm and 2pm–4pm
If the election is contested, Polling Day will take place on Thursday 6 November 2025.
Who can stand as a candidate in the Penzance Promenade Ward By-Election?
Applicants should read the following criteria prior to putting themselves forward.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates must satisfy the following qualification categories in order to be eligible to fill the vacancies:-
(a) Be aged 18 years or older;
(b) Be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights;
(c) Be registered as a local government elector for the Parish of Penzance; OR have, during the whole of the preceding twelve months, occupied as owner or tenant, any land or premises in the Parish; OR have had their principal or only place of work within the Parish during the preceding twelve months; OR have, during the whole of the preceding twelve months, resided in the Parish or within 4.8km thereof.
DISQUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates will be ineligible to fill the vacancies if any one of the following categories applies to them:-
(a) They hold a paid office under Penzance Council;
(b) They are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order;
(c) They have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence), without the option of a fine, during the preceding five years;
(d) They have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983;
(e) They are subject to the notification requirement of or under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003; or
(f) They have been convicted of an intimidatory criminal offence motivated by hostility towards a candidate, future candidate or campaigner or holder of a relevant elective office.
How to vote in the Penzance Promenade Ward By-Election:
Only the electorate of Penzance Promenade Ward will be able to vote in the by-election.
Applications to register to vote at this election close at Midnight on Tuesday 21 October 2025. https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate or an Anonymous Elector’s Document valid for this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday 29 October 2025.
Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate can be made online:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
Electors and their proxies should note that:
New applications to vote by post or to vary or cancel existing postal or proxy voting arrangements must be sent to the Electoral Registration Officer by not later than 5.00pm on Wednesday 22 October 2025. Applications for a postal vote can also be made online: www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
New applications to vote by proxy at this election must be sent to the Electoral Registration Officer by not later than 5.00pm on Wednesday 29 October 2025, except in cases where unforeseen illness, incapacity, occupation, service or employment occurs after that time, in which case applications may be received by no later than 5.00pm on Thursday 6 November 2025. Applications for a proxy vote can also be made online: www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote
All applications and notices regarding absent voting must be sent to the Electoral Registration Officer, Cornwall Council, 4S, County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro TR1 3AY.
