Become a councillor

Becoming a councillor

If you would like more information on becoming a councillor, visit the Become A Councillor page on the Gov.uk website.  

Who can be a councillor

To be a councillor in Wokingham Borough you must be:

• 18 years old or over.
• A British, Commonwealth or Irish citizen or a citizen of another member state of the European Union.

• Registered as a voter in the Wokingham Borough Council area.
• Or the owner or tenant of any land or premises in the area.
• Working principally in the Wokingham area for the last 12 months or more.
• Or living in the Wokingham area for the past 12 months.

You can't stand as a candidate if you:

• Are employed by the local authority or hold paid office under the authority (including joint boards or committees).
• Hold a politically restricted post.
• Are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order.
• Have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 3 months or more (including a suspended sentence) without the option of a fine, during the 5 years before election day.
• Have been disqualified from holding office by order of an election court.

For more details about disqualifications contact the Electoral Commission website for advice. 

How to be a councillor

Having qualified you would need to be nominated. Once the election has been called, nomination packs are available from electoral services or can be downloaded from the Electoral Commission website. The nomination paper will need to be signed by 10 registered electors from the ward in which you want to stand. You will also need to complete a form which gives your consent to the nomination. You may appoint someone to act on your behalf as your agent, who would help you with your election campaign.

Next scheduled elections

Read our election information page for details of the next election.