Co-option 2025

Hunts Grove Parish Council has space for nine members but currently has vacancies that we can fill through co-option (i.e. existing councillors selecting people). Could you fill one of these vacancies? Potentially interested?

There's lots of information on this page and you can also:

Find an information pack and application form here, or request a copy from the clerk using the form at bottom of this page
Look out for details of a drop-in session. You are of course very welcome to attend the council meeting at 1830 on 14 July.
Contact an existing councillor or the clerk if you would like to talk to someone

Applications need to be received by Monday 28 July.

What does a Parish Council do?

A parish council is the level of government closest to the community and is often the first place people will go with concerns or ideas. Its work falls into three main categories:

Representing the local community
Striving to improve quality of life in the parish
Delivering services to meet local needs.

Hunts Grove's Parish Councillors regularly engage with Crest Nicholson, Stroud District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, the police, and others on issues raised by residents. We also reflect local concerns into the planning process.

We have also run successful community events and worked to support community groups. We have been exploring ways to provide support and activities to our young people.

What are the benefits of being a parish councillor?

Serving our local community is really rewarding in itself as you'll be helping to build our community and making a difference. But as a councillor you'd also be working in a team, developing new skills and experience, solving problems and meeting new people.

What skills and experience is needed?

There is no parish council type, and no particular background or skill-set required. Anyone over the age of 18 can serve as a councillor if they meet the eligibility criteria below. We want different voices and perspectives. The main thing you should have is a desire to serve the community.

It might be useful to have one or more of the following:

Interest or experience in:	Attributes:
Youth Provision Running Facilities Events Comms and Engagement	Thinking About The Big Picture An Eye For Detail Good At Team Working Determination Community-Minded Organised

What is the time commitment?

If co-opted, you would have a seat on the council until May 2028. If you wanted to stay in the post you could then stand for re-election.

You would be expected to attend monthly councils meetings which last 2 to 3 hours. You may also meet with other councillors as part of working groups on particular topics, and attend some meetings with outside bodies or take part in events. There'll also be some time working on projects or issues. Everyone's contribution is different. Don't worry, it won't take over your life.

Am I eligible to be a Parish Councillor?

You have to be:	...and meet one or more of the following criteria:	However, you CANNOT be a Parish Councillor if:
a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained right 18 years of age or older	You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the parish in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards. You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the parish area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election. 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 parish area. You have lived in the parish area or within three miles of it during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election. You can find out more about these criteria on the Electoral Commission website.	You are employed by the parish council or hold a paid office under the parish council (including joint boards or committees). You are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order. You have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence), without the option of a fine, during the last five years. You have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which covers corrupt or illegal electoral practices). You are subject to the notification requirement of or under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and the ordinary period allowed for making an appeal or application in respect of the order or notification has passed. You have been convicted of an intimidatory criminal offence motivated by hostility towards a candidate, future candidate or campaigner or holder of a relevant elective office. NB: These disqualifications can be complex but you can find out more information about them on the Electoral Commission website.

You have to be:

...and meet one or more of the following criteria:

However, you CANNOT be a Parish Councillor if:

a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained right
18 years of age or older

You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the parish in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards.
You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the parish area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.
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 parish area.
You have lived in the parish area or within three miles of it during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

You can find out more about these criteria on the Electoral Commission website.

You are employed by the parish council or hold a paid office under the parish council (including joint boards or committees).
You are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order.
You have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence), without the option of a fine, during the last five years.
You have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which covers corrupt or illegal electoral practices).
You are subject to the notification requirement of or under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and the ordinary period allowed for making an appeal or application in respect of the order or notification has passed.
You have been convicted of an intimidatory criminal offence motivated by hostility towards a candidate, future candidate or campaigner or holder of a relevant elective office.

NB: These disqualifications can be complex but you can find out more information about them on the Electoral Commission website.

You don’t have to be connected to a political party.

If you do become a parish councillor you will have to sign up to the Code of Conduct.

How does Co-Option work?

Co-option is conducted by the Council at a Full Council Meeting. Copies of eligible candidates’ application forms will be shared with Councillors ahead of that meeting.

Eligible candidates will be invited to attend the meeting but do not have to be present to be co-opted. At the meeting, candidates who are present will be invited to give a statement (no longer than 5 minutes) introducing themselves and their background, explaining why they wish to be a councillor and answer a few questions from Councillors.

Once all candidates have spoken, they will be asked to leave for a short recess. They will be invited back in for the formal vote. Each candidate co-opted must receive a majority of votes of those councillors present. The Clerk will inform candidates of the Council’s decision in writing after the meeting.

Successful candidates will be invited to join the Council from the next Council meeting when they will sign the declaration of acceptance of office.