Standing to Become a Councillor

In Mole Valley there are 39 district councillors and elections are held for one third of these councillors in three out of every four years.

Surrey county councillor elections are held in the fourth year to elect the six county councillors representing Mole Valley.

To be able to stand for election as a county or district councillor you will need to meet a certain number of requirements.

These include:

• being over the age of 18
• being a British, Commonwealth, Irish or EU citizen
• having a connection with the local area

This connection can be the fact that you have lived or worked in the district for the previous 12 months, but you are also eligible to stand if you have been the owner or tenant of any land or premises within Mole Valley for the whole of the previous 12 months, or are a local government elector in Mole Valley.

You are unable to stand for election as a councillor:

• if you are a paid officer of a local authority and/or in a politically restricted post
• if you are bankrupt
• if you have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than three months, without the option of a fine, in the previous five years
• if you are disqualified under any enactment for corrupt or illegal practices

Prospective Candidates Seminar

A seminar for prospective candidates is held every year.

The purpose of the seminar is to provide anyone interested in standing with information relating to the work of the district council and what it means to act as a district councillor, including Code of Conduct issues.

The seminar also provides guidance on the nomination process and relevant deadlines that apply during the election period.

If you would like further information, call 01306 885001 or email electoral.registration@molevalley.gov.uk.

For more information on standing as a candidate in a local election, please refer to the Electoral Commission guidance.