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Horsforth Town Council elections are every four years. There are criteria that you must meet in order to stand for election as a Town Councillor.

Eligibility to stand as a Town Councillor

be at least 18 years old

be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union, and

meet at least one of the following four qualifications:

Your name must appear on the register of local government electors for Horsforth

You have occupied any land or premises as owner or tenant in Horsforth during the previous 12 months

Your main or only place of work during the previous 12 months has been in Horsforth

You have lived in Horsforth or within three miles of it during the previous 12 months

The Local Government Act 1972, Section 79-81 provides an exhaustive list of disqualifications in becoming a Town Councillor. In brief, these are: 

You are employed by the Town Council

You have been declared bankrupt in the last five years and have not repaid your debts.

You have been convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to at least three months imprisonment (including any suspended sentence) within the previous five years.

You are disqualified due to corrupt practices under the Representation of the People Act 1983 or the Audit Commission Act.  

For more information on candidacy for council, click on the Electoral Commission link.

Horsforth usually elects enough Councillors to fill all the vacancies. In the absence of any vacancies arising during the current term, the next opportunity to stand as a councillor for Horsforth Town Council would be the parish and town council elections taking place in 2027.

If a vacancy arises during the current term, it will be advertised on the noticeboard, website and social media

Co-option

When a Town Council can fill a vacancy by co-option, they should co-opt a member to fill the vacancy as soon as practicable. This is done by displaying a public notice to invite applications under the Council's Co-option process. 

 Co-option Policy

Current vacancies

Horsforth Town Council currently has one vacancy for the Brownberrie Ward which will be filled through the process of co-option. Co-opted Councillors have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as Councillors who obtain office through election. 

 For further information and an application form, please contact the Town Clerk.

Email: admin@horsforthtowncouncil.gov.uk 

Tel: 07526567591

The deadline for applications is 4th July 2024 at 12pm. 

Candidates will be considered at the Town Council meeting being held on 25th July 2024 at 7pm. 

Horsforth Town Council provides funding for training for new and returning Councillors, in order to support them in carrying out their role effectively.