Hertsmere administers elections for parish and town councils in the borough. This page is for prospective candidates and clerks dealing with elections or vacancies.
Stand as a candidate for a parish or town council
If you are thinking about the standing for election, read the National Association of Local Councils’ guide to what parish and town councils and councillors do.
You can stand as an independent candidate or for a political party. Check qualifications and the required papers in the Electoral Commission’s guidance for parish council candidates. When an election is under way, its page will give Hertsmere’s nomination arrangements and deadlines.
Information for clerks
Ordinary elections
Electoral Services will send parish and town clerks the election timetable and nomination papers in advance. The relevant live election page will carry the confirmed dates and official notices.
Casual vacancies
Tell Electoral Services when a councillor’s seat becomes vacant, giving the councillor’s name and the reason. We can supply a vacancy notice for your council to display. If enough electors request an election in writing within the notice period, the Returning Officer will arrange a by-election. Otherwise, the council can arrange to fill the vacancy by co-option.
After a co-option, send the new councillor’s name and address to democratic.services@hertsmere.gov.uk.
Parish polls
A parish poll follows a different process from a council election and starts with a parish meeting. Contact Electoral Services promptly if a poll is requested. [Link to the parish poll section of the approved guide, or give it a distinct guidance page if the web team can support it.]
Election costs
If a parish or town council election is held on its own, the council is charged the full cost of running it. If it is combined with another election, shared costs such as staffing and polling station hire are apportioned between the elections. Items specific to the parish or town election, such as its ballot papers and notices, are charged to that council.
There is also an administration charge for elections which are uncontested.
For a by-election, ask Electoral Services about the likely cost as early as possible: elections@hertsmere.gov.uk.