Councillor Elections & Vacancies
Councillor Elections and Vacancies
This page provides information about town council elections, by‑elections and vacancies for Penrith Town Council, including how vacancies are filled and how to become a councillor.
By‑Elections
From time to time, vacancies on Penrith Town Council are filled by a by‑election administered by Westmorland and Furness Council.
When a by‑election is called, eligible voters are invited to vote at their local polling stations between 7:00am and 10:00pm on polling day. Full details about standing as a candidate, registering to vote, or applying for postal or proxy voting are published by Westmorland and Furness Council.
Further information about elections can be found on the Westmorland and Furness Council website.
Casual Vacancies
A casual vacancy occurs when a councillor leaves office before the end of their term. This can happen due to resignation, disqualification, or failure to attend meetings.
When a casual vacancy arises, Penrith Town Council publishes a Notice of Vacancy on its noticeboard (Angel Lane) and online. Electors then have 14 working days from the date of the notice to request a by‑election.
- A valid request must be made in writing by 10 electors from the parish.
- Requests should be sent directly to the Returning Officer at Westmorland and Furness Council.
If no valid request for a by‑election is received within the 14‑day period, the Town Council must fill the vacancy by co‑option.
Co‑Option Process
If a vacancy is to be filled by co‑option, the Town Council will invite applications from interested and eligible residents. Applicants are asked to complete a short application form outlining:
- Their eligibility to stand
- Their reasons for wishing to become a Town Councillor
Applications are considered at a meeting of Full Council, where councillors vote to determine whether to co‑opt an applicant. Where only one application is received, the Council still formally decides whether to proceed with the co‑option at that time.
A councillor co‑opted to fill a vacancy serves for the remainder of the council term.
Town Councillors – Role and Responsibilities
Town Councillors are elected representatives who give their time freely and are not paid. Councillors work collectively to set the policy direction of the Town Council and to make decisions about:
- Local services and facilities
- Council spending and budgets
- Policies and priorities for the town
Councillors attend Full Council meetings and committee meetings, represent the views of residents, and act as a link between the council and the community.
No specific qualifications are required. The most important requirements are a willingness to attend meetings and an interest in supporting the local community.
How to Become a Town Councillor
You do not need to belong to a political party to be a Town Councillor. Councillors may stand as:
- Independent candidates, or
- Candidates representing a political party (with that party’s permission)
Penrith Town Council welcomes people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Training, guidance and ongoing support are available from Council officers and fellow councillors throughout a councillor’s term of office.
Councillors are volunteers and the Council seeks to manage workloads realistically. Councillors are expected to attend:
- Bi‑monthly Full Council meetings, and
- Committee meetings relevant to their roles.
Eligibility to Stand as a Town Councillor
To stand as a Town Councillor you must:
- Be 18 years or over
- Be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of an EU member state, and
- Meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be registered as a local government elector in Penrith
- Have occupied land or premises in the parish as owner or tenant for the previous 12 months
- Have your main or only place of work in the parish for the previous 12 months
- Have lived in or within three miles (4.8km) of the parish for the previous 12 months
You cannot stand for election or be co‑opted if:
- You are employed by the Town Council or hold a paid office under it
- You are subject to a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order
- You have been convicted of a serious offence and sentenced to more than three months’ imprisonment (including a suspended sentence) within the last five years
- You are disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983
- You are subject to notification requirements under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Frequently Asked Questions
Are councillors paid?
No. Town Councillors do not receive a salary or allowance. The exceptions are the Town Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who receive an allowance to meet the expenses of their office.
Some expenses, such as mileage for attending meetings or training on behalf of the Council, may be reimbursed. The Council is not permitted by law to reimburse expenses such as childcare costs.
Who decides if a by‑election will be held?
Westmorland and Furness Council is responsible for running by‑elections. A by‑election is triggered if 10 electors formally request one within the 14‑day notice period.
If a vacancy occurs within six months of the next ordinary election, no by‑election will be held and the Council may choose to leave the seat vacant until the election.
What support is available?
New councillors receive support from the Town Clerk, fellow councillors and through access to training and guidance. The Council also works with the Cumbria Association of Local Councils to provide additional advice and development opportunities.
Further Information
Practical guidance on becoming a councillor is available from the Electoral Commission and national local government bodies. Links to useful publications and guidance documents are provided at the bottom of this page.