Becoming a Community Councillor

How can I become a Community Councillor?

Elections for all Community Councils within the Torfaen County Borough area are contested on the same day and are held every 4 years. The next Community Council elections for the six Community Councils will take place in 2027.

The Community Councils within Torfaen County Borough Council area are:

• Blaenavon – 2 wards
• Pontypool – 16 wards
• Cwmbran – 14 wards
• Henllys – 1 ward
• Ponthir – 1 ward
• Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon – 4 wards

Sometimes an individual seat in a Ward becomes vacant in the intervening years and details are publicised as they occur.

The majority of candidates for these elections stand as representatives of political parties. However, anyone is entitled to stand as a candidate provided they meet the principal qualifications.

How do I get nominated to become a Community Councillor?

Each candidate must be nominated by a separate nomination paper.

If you are standing as a candidate for a registered political party you would also be required to submit a certificate, from the party's nominating officer, authorising your candidacy and use of the party's description and emblem.

If you are standing independently, the ballot paper would either describe you as "Independent" or give no description at all for you.

You must also give, in writing, your consent to your nomination.

All these documents must be submitted to the Returning Officer by noon 19 working days before polling day.

No deposit is required to stand as a candidate in an election to a local authority.

What are the qualifications needed to become a Community Councillor?

The qualifications are:

• You must be at least 18 years old on both polling day and the day of nomination and you must be a British citizen, a citizen of the Irish Republic, the Commonwealth or another member state of the European Union.
• You must also meet at least one of the following 4 qualifications:
  • (a) on those days and thereafter be a local government elector for the area of the authority; or
  • (b) for the whole of the previous 12 months proceeding both nomination day and day of election occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the area of the authority; or 
  • (c) the principal or only place of work during the 12 months preceding both nomination day and day of election resided in that area, or 
  • (d) is not disqualified. 
  • (e) to (a) to (d) above is added that the alternative qualification that the candidate has during the whole of the 12 months preceding both nomination and day of election resided either in the Community or within 4.8 kilometres of it

Are there any disqualifications?

Yes and these could prevent you becoming a candidate. The disqualifications include a person:

• Surcharge;
• Corrupt practice;
• Who has been adjudged bankrupt; and 
• Who has been sentenced to prison for 3 months or more in the previous 5 years; 
• Bankrupts.

Certain exceptions may apply so you should check the position carefully before consenting to your nomination as candidate.

Where can I get more information?

More information about standing for election to the Council can be obtained from the Returning Officer:

Democratic Services
Torfaen County Borough Council
Civic Centre
Pontypool
Torfaen
NP4 6YB

If you are interested in standing in any elections to the Council, please let us know as soon as possible and we will send you details, the various forms and the detailed election timetable when they become available.

Further details (covering issues such as the role of your election agent, the legal requirements which your campaign material must comply with, your campaign spending limits, declaring your election expenses and donations) are available on the Electoral Commission website.

Last Modified: 02/09/2022 Back to top