Have you ever thought about becoming a Parish Councillor?
Below is some information to help you decide whether becoming a Parish Councillor is for you:
What does a Parish Councillor do?
Parish Councillors work together to serve the community. They come from different backgrounds and bring a diverse range of skills. Team work is important as no individual councillor can or does act in isolation. Here are some of the things Waddesdon Parish Councillors are currently involved with:
- Planning – commenting on planning applications, supporting the neighbourhood plan
- Management of open spaces at School Lane and Frederick Street
- Provision and maintenance of street lights, benches, and dog waste bins
- Managing the Quainton Road Allotments
- Finance – budget setting, governance and accountability
- Organising events – Waddesdon Village Fete, Annual Parish Meeting, Public Consultations, Santa’s Grotto
- Communications – managing the website and Facebook page
- Special projects – for example a village defibrillator, outdoor gym, Remembrance bench
You don’t need to bring specific skills as enthusiasm and a willingness to work as a team to support your community are all that is needed.
Parish Council Meetings
You will need to be available on Wednesday evenings to attend Parish Council meetings. The full Parish Council meets on the third Wednesday of every month. The Parish Council has two standing committees, Finance and Planning.
Eligibility to stand
You are eligible to stand for election to a parish council if you are:
A British citizen, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union, and
18 years or older on the day you become nominated for election.
And if at least one of the following applies:
You are registered as a local government elector for the parish for which you want to stand; or
You have, for the whole 12 month period up to the date of the election, occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish;
- Your principal or only place of work during that same 12 months period has been in the parish
- You have during the whole of that same 12 month period resided in the parish or within 3 miles of it.
You cannot stand for election if:
You are employed by the parish or town council or hold a paid office under the council (including employment by any joint boards or committees of the council).
You are the subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order.
You have, within five years before the day of the election, been convicted in the United Kingdom of any offence and have had a prison sentence (whether suspended or not) for a period of over three months without the option of a fine.
You have been disqualified under Part III of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which relates to donations and other offences) or under the Audit Commission Act 1998.
Any of our current Councillors or the Clerk will be happy to answer any questions you may have about becoming a Councillor or the election process.
Contact: The Clerk on 01296 651800 or email clerk@
Resources: Download a Councillor Application Form