UPDATE 11/05/23: PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS FOR THE VACANCY HAVE NOW CLOSED
Saltford Parish Council currently has a vacancy, and it is looking to co-opt to this post.
Following uncontested elections, Saltford Parish Council (SPC) has one vacancy (e.g. of 11 Councillors, one seat is currently vacant). SPC will co-opt someone to be a SPC Councillor at its Tuesday 16 May 2023 meeting.
If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, please download and return a Councillor co-option application form to clerk@saltfordparishcouncil.gov.uk – the end date to apply to be co-opted to SPC is Wednesday 10 May 2023 (by 5pm).
Those interested in the casual vacancy need to be able to attend an evening meeting once a month, usually the first Tuesday of the month. In addition, Councillors are expected to attend Parish Council events and to commit to engagement between meetings by email with the Clerk and Councillors.
In return you will receive the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping your local community. Saltford Parish Council normally meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.15pm (except May 2023, and August each year). Meetings last about two hours and are currently held in the Avon Room at Saltford Hall. Councillors are not paid for the time they give, but can claim reasonable expenses such as travel to external meetings etc.
Completed application forms will be shared with all Councillors before they make their decision to co-opt. Although Councillors are happy to discuss their roles or provide information about Saltford Parish Council and its processes, please note that candidates will be disqualified if they canvass Councillors for appointment to the Council. Please find eligibility information on the ALCA ‘Become a Councillor’ page.
SPC intends to co-opt to the vacant post at its full council meeting on Tuesday 16 May, which commences at 7.15pm in the Avon Room at Saltford Hall. Candidates are welcome to address Councillors at the meeting in line with SPC public engagement guidelines prior to the co-option secret ballot taking place. In line with standing orders if the vote is tied the Chair will have the deciding vote by secret ballot.
During the meeting, Parish Councillors co-opted to Saltford Parish Council will need to make a declaration of acceptance at the meeting (including declaring that they meet the eligibility criteria holding office as a Councillor – please visit the ALCA website page ‘Become a Councillor – Am I eligible to stand?’ ) and after, complete a Register of Interests form which will be made available at all times on SPC’s website (please find examples below). Parish Councillors must abide by SPC’s Code of Conduct. New Parish Councillors will also be required to attend a short training session with the Clerk via Zoom at a mutually convenient time. New Councillors will be supported by existing Councillors and the Clerk as they settle into the role, and throughout their time on Saltford Parish Council. Optional external training will also be available.
Please see this overview of Saltford Parish Council for more information, as well as the information elsewhere on this website. If you have any specific questions please contact the Parish Clerk using the details under the ‘Contact Us’ page.
To find out more about the co-option process following a casual vacancy being declared, please see SPC’s Casual Vacancy Policy (co-option). In cases where there are more candidates than vacancies, Saltford Parish Council will need to fairly consider who to co-opt and such skills and expertise may be taken into account according to SPC’s particular needs. Voting takes place via secret ballot.
Please note that any applications received after the end date and time stated cannot be considered. Thank you for considering becoming a part of Saltford Parish Council.
To find out more about becoming or being a Councillor, see here for information on the Avon Local Council Association’s website. For more information about being a SPC Councillor, visit our ‘Councillors‘ page.
Please note that the end date for applications is Wednesday 10 May 2023 (5pm), and any applications received after this date cannot be considered.
Thank you for considering becoming a part of Saltford Parish Council.
