There will be elections for West Wratting Parish Councillors on 7th May 2026 so we are seeking people who would like to put themselves forward for election as a Parish Councillor.
If you are interested and would like to find out more about what we do please come along to our meeting in the Village Hall on Monday 9th March at 7.30 pm. It is our last Full Council meeting before the elections take place.
Have you ever thought about becoming a Parish Councillor and
playing an important role in helping to shape the community in which you live?
Think about putting yourself forward for election, you could make a real positive difference to your community.
Our Parish Council is about being at the forefront of making small but worthwhile changes and improvements to our village; changes which benefit the community as a whole. A diverse mix of individuals young and old is an important factor ensuring a balanced representation of our community. EACH and EVERY member of the Parish Council brings with them individual skills and knowledge
which is vital to the council’s success.
🗣️ Whether you’re already active in the community or looking for a new way to get involved, this is your opportunity to have your voice heard and to stand up for what matters most to West Wratting.
📘 Wondering what the role involves or how much time it takes? We’ve put together a helpful webpage answering common questions about being a Parish Councilor.
Further information can be found at:-
- https://www.scambs.gov.uk/elections/elections-2026
- https://www.scambs.gov.uk/elections/be-a-councillor.
Alternatively speak to one of the current Councilors:- Caughlin Ryder, Louise Chandler, Phil O’Donovan, Simon Chandler, Paul McKenna, John Harvey, or contact our clerk, Cameron Biggs clerk@westwratting.org.uk
Those wishing to stand as a candidate for Parish Council elections will need to complete a nomination form (see below).
The nomination period opens on 30 March and closes on 9 April at 4pm.
Some more information about Parish Council Elections
The following is taken from the useful https://www.hihub.info/news/full-steam-ahead-for-local-elections-this-may/
According to the Local Government Association, to stand as a Parish Councillor candidadtes must be:-
- At least 18 years old on nomination day;
- A British or Commonwealth citizen (EU citizens may also qualify under updated rules); and
- Registered to vote locally, or have lived, worked, or owned property in the area for at least 12 months.
Candidates cannot be a Councillor if they:-
- Work for the council they are seeking election for (with limited exceptions);
- Are subject to bankruptcy restrictions;
- Have received a prison sentence of three months or more within the past five years;
- Have been convicted of electoral corruption or illegal practices; or
- Are subject to relevant notification requirements relating to a sexual offence.
Candidates do not need to pay a deposit to stand in a local election.
All candidates who wish to stand for Parish Council must submit an official nomination form. The nomination period opens on 30 March and closes at 4pm on 9 April. Papers must be hand delivered to SCDC’s Elections department.
SCDC is hosting a Candidate and Agent’s briefing for the district council elections on Wednesday, 4 March at 6pm. The session will be accessible both in person and online. “We strongly recommend all agents attend the session and encourage candidates to do so as well,” says SCDC’s Elections 2026 webpage.
Anyone wishing to attend, or seeking advice about becoming a Councillor, can email the Council’s Elections department at elections@scambs.gov.uk.
Contested Parish Council elections are rare in South Cambridgeshire
West Wratting Parish Council has 7 councillors. If the number of candidates for the Parish Council is 7 or fewer then all will be elected unopposed. For uncontested elections the Parish Council will be subject to a nominal charge of £15 per seat.
If there are more than 7 candidates for the Parish Council then the electorate in West Wratting will vote for their preferred Parish Councillors when they visit the polling station (Village Hall) on May 7th. The Parish Council will be responsible for paying the cost of the election, including ballot papers and postal voting. A “reasonable expectation” for this cost (for a mid-sized Parish) is between £4,000 and £5,000, depending on candidate numbers. The Parish Council may be able to share certain contested election expenses – such as staffing and polling station costs – with South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Visit the SCDC Elections 2026 webpages for further information about standing as a candidate or email elections@scambs.gov.uk.