Eligibility – You can be a candidate if you are over 18 and on the electoral register or have worked or owned property in the area for at least the past 12 months.

You are disqualified as a candidate if you work for the council or hold a politically restricted post with another local authority. Bankruptcy or a previous criminal conviction with a three months or more prison sentence would also disqualify you as a candidate.

Most candidates are nominated through a political party. However individuals are welcome to stand in their own right as an independent candidate.

Before you can be accepted as a candidate you must be validly nominated by submitting a nomination paper signed by a proposer, seconder and eight assentors, all these people must be on the electoral register for the ward or constituency in which you are standing.

Should you be successful then the Council ensures all members receive recompense by providing a Scheme of Allowances which include a basic allowance to cover ongoing expenditure, a Carers Scheme and communication equipment to assist you in carrying out the various roles.

An in depth guide on how to become a candidate can be found on the Electoral Commission website.