Newquay currently does not have any Councillor vacancies. Please keep an eye on this page or on our social media for any future updates.

What do Councillors do?

Local councillors are the champions of their community who invest time in local projects and issues to the benefit of residents and the neighbourhood. Councillors attend to local needs of residents, local groups and businesses, make decisions on local services, collaborate with district and county councils to adhere to local needs, and progress vital projects to invest in the future of the community.

What do Councils do?

Councils lead on community services such as children’s play areas, footpaths and verges, public seating and litter bins, but also larger projects such as leisure services, youth services and climate change initiatives. These activities are funded by a local tax, called a precept which is determined by the council.

How long does it take?

NALC’s Local Councillor Census Survey found that councillors put aside, on average, three hours a week for council work. Council work often includes attending meetings, engaging with residents and speaking to local groups and bodies on behalf of the council.

Am I qualified to be a Councillor?

To be a Town Councillor you have to be:

• a British subject, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union; and
• on the “relevant date” (i.e. the day on which you are nominated or if there is a poll the day of the election) 18 years of age or over;
  • on the “relevant day” you must either:
    * be included on the electoral register for Newquay;
    * or have during the whole of the 12 months preceding that day occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in Newquay;
    * or have during that same period had your principal or only place of work in Newquay;
    * or during that 12 month period resided in Newquay or within 3 miles of it.

You cannot stand for election if you:

• are subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order
• have, within five years before the day of the election, been convicted in the United Kingdom of any offence and have had a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of over three months without the option of a fine.
• work for the council you want to become a councillor for (but you can work for other Local Authorities, including the Principal Authorities that represent the same area).

How do I stand as a Councillor?

To stand as a Councillor you need to complete a Candidate Nomination Paper and must be nominated by two people who are included on the Electoral Register from the specific Ward you wish to stand for.

During an election candidate information packs (containing the required forms and guidance on the election process) will be available from the Cornwall Council Electoral Services. If you wish to be a candidate during an election, please contact Cornwall Council to request an information pack as soon as possible at the following address:

Electoral Services
Cornwall Council
35 County Hall
Treyew Road
Truro
Cornwall
TR1 3AY

Tel: 0300 123 1115
E-mail: voter-registration@cornwall.gov.uk

Voting in the Elections

In order to be eligible to vote in any elections you need to be on the Electoral Register.  To check if you are registered or to find out how to register contact Cornwall Council on 0300 123 1115 or e-mail voter-registration@cornwall.gov.uk. You can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Further information can be found on the Cornwall Council website at www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections.

If you don’t register:

• you cannot vote;
• you cannot nominate a candidate;
• you do not get a say on who represents you;
• you do not have a say on important issues that affect you.

Further information can be found at https://www.yourvotematters.co.uk/.

Who can register to vote

You can register to vote if you are 17 years old (and in some cases if you are 16) but you can only vote when you become 18.

You qualify to register to vote if you are:

• a British citizen
• an EU citizen resident in the UK
• a qualifying Commonwealth citizen resident in the UK

A qualifying Commonwealth citizen is someone who has leave to enter or remain in the UK, or does not require such leave.

Further information can be found at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/register-vote-and-update-your-details.