North Leigh Parish Council has 9 seats and only 7 were taken up in this year’s elections. Therefore, there are 2 vacancies. If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, please feel free to review the Casual Vacancy Procedure and Casual Vacancy Application. If you would like to be considered for co-option at the meeting on the 9th of May, please submit an application to the Clerk at parishclerk@northleighparishcouncil.gov.uk by Friday the 3rd of May.

Below is some information about becoming a Parish Councillor.

What is a Parish Council?

A Parish Council is the local authority that makes decision on behalf of the people in the parish and makes representations on their behalf to other bodies. It is the level of government closest to the community with West Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council above it.  As it is the authority closest to the people, the Parish Council is often the first place residents will go with concerns or ideas.  For this reason, it is a vital part of any community.

Parish Councils make all kinds of decisions and make representations to national bodies on issued that affect the local community. Some these include planning, managing open spaces, managing burial grounds , liaising with the police and other services, campaigning for and delivering better services and facilities and more.

There are limited powers to make decision, but Parish Councils do have the ability to negotiate with and the power to influence those other organizations that do make the final decisions.

Who can become a Parish Councillor?

To be able to stand as a candidate at a local government election in England you must:

• be at least 18 years old

• be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any member state of the European Union,

• meet at least one of the following four qualifications:

 a. You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the local authority area in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards.

b. You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election. For more details

c. Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the local authority area.

d. You have lived in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

Please note that the deadline for comments on outline planning application for the 1,250 houses at North Witney Strategic Development Area, New Yatt Road Witney  is Thursday 11^th April 2024.  The comments can be posted on the WODC Planning Portal with the reference:  24/00482/OUT.