Become a Stotfold town councillor

Stotfold needs people who care about Stotfold - That could be you.

Every seat on Stotfold Town Council is up for election on Thursday 6 May 2027. You do not need a political background, a degree or a suit. You need to care about the town and be willing to put the work in.

This page explains what the role involves, who can stand and how to do it.

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What matters to you in Stotfold?

Is it the parks and play areas? The cemetery? Events that bring the town together? Street lighting on your road? The Greenacre Centre, the Memorial Hall or the allotments?

The Town Council looks after all of these. The people who decide how they are run, funded and improved are the town councillors. If you have ever thought "someone should do something about that", this is how you become the someone.

What does Stotfold Town Council do?

The Town Council is the level of local government closest to you. It is separate from Central Bedfordshire Council, which runs larger services such as bins, roads, schools and planning decisions.

Stotfold Town Council is responsible for:

  • parks, open spaces and play areas, including Greenacre Park, Hitchin Road and Riverside Recreation Grounds, The Green, Millennium Green, Jubilee Wood and Centenary Wood
  • Stotfold Cemetery
  • Greenacre Centre and the Memorial Hall
  • 257 street lights
  • public toilets at Brook Street and Arlesey Road
  • community events and grants to local groups
  • commenting on planning applications as a statutory consultee, so residents' views are heard by Central Bedfordshire Council

The Town Council sets its own budget each year and raises it through the precept, the Town Council's share of your Council Tax. Councillors decide how that money is spent.

What does a town councillor actually do?

Councillors are the decision makers. Council staff, led by the Town Clerk, carry out those decisions day to day. As a councillor you will:

  • attend and vote at Full Council and at least one committee
  • read agendas and reports before meetings so you can make informed decisions
  • represent the views of residents, including the ones you disagree with
  • help set the annual budget and the Council's priorities
  • follow the Members' Code of Conduct and declare your interests

How much time does it take?

Meetings take place on Wednesday evenings. Full Council normally meets on the first Wednesday of the month. Committees meet on the other Wednesdays. Most Members spend around 2-3 hours a week on council business, including reading papers. Some choose to do more by joining working groups or representing the Council on local organisations.

The Council's committees from May 2027 will be Full Council, Governance and Resources,  XXXXX Community Engagement, and Overview and Scrutiny.

Will I get training?

Yes. Every new Member receives an induction from the Town Clerk and access to training through Bedfordshire Association of Town and Parish Councils. Nobody expects you to know how local government works on day one. Most of us had to learn it too.

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No. A good council reflects the town it serves. That means parents, carers, young people, retired people, business owners, shift workers and everyone in between.

Skills from raising a family, running a club, volunteering or holding down a job are all valuable. It helps if you can:

  • listen to people and communicate clearly
  • work as part of a team, even when you disagree
  • read and weigh up information before deciding
  • treat everyone with courtesy and respect

Can I stand?

To stand for election you must be at least 18 years old on the day you are nominated and a British, qualifying Commonwealth or eligible EU citizen.

You must also meet at least one of these on the day you are nominated and on polling day:

  • you are registered to vote in Stotfold
  • you have owned or rented land or property in Stotfold for the whole of the last 12 months
  • your main or only place of work has been in Stotfold for the whole of the last 12 months
  • you have lived in Stotfold, or within 4.8 kilometres (3 miles) of it, for the whole of the last 12 months

You cannot stand if you:

  • work for Stotfold Town Council
  • are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order
  • have been sentenced to prison for three months or more, including a suspended sentence, in the five years before polling day
  • have been disqualified under electoral law, for example for a corrupt or illegal practice

If you are unsure, contact Electoral Services at Central Bedfordshire Council before you submit your papers. The Electoral Commission's guidance for candidates sets out the full rules.

Do I have to join a political party?

No. You can stand as an independent or for a political party. If you want to stand for a party, contact your local branch early; they select their own candidates. If you stand as an independent, you can leave the description on the ballot paper blank or use "Independent".

The Town Council does not support or favour any candidate or party.

How to stand: step by step

  1. Read this page, talk to a current councillor or the Town Clerk, and come to a Council meeting to see how it works. Meetings are open to the public.
  2. Keep an eye open for informal information sessions with Councillors and the Town Clerk. No commitment, no hard sell, and there will be tea and biscuits.
  3. Monday 15 March 2027: The Notice of Election is published. Nomination packs are available from Central Bedfordshire Council or from the Town Council offices.
  4. 16 March to 4pm on 8 April 2027: Deliver your completed nomination papers to Central Bedfordshire Council. For a town council election you need a proposer and a seconder, both registered to vote in Stotfold. There is no deposit. Check the delivery arrangements in the nomination pack and do not leave it to the last day!
  5. Monday 12 April 2027: The list of candidates (Statement of Persons Nominated) is published.
  6. Thursday 6 May 2027: Polling day. Polls are open from 7am to 10pm.
  7. Friday 7/Saturday 8 May 2027: Votes are counted and results declared. If there are no more candidates than seats, every candidate is elected unopposed and there is no poll.
  8. After the election: You sign your Declaration of Acceptance of Office, complete your Register of Interests within 28 days and start your induction. You must also submit a return of your election expenses by 3 June 2027.

Missed the election? There is another way in

If seats are left empty after the election, or a councillor stands down during the term, the Council can fill the vacancy by co-option. We advertise co-option vacancies on this website and on our social media. Keep an eye out on our social media and website. 

Frequently asked questions

How long is a term of office?

Four years. Councillors elected in May 2027 will serve until May 2031.

Are councillors paid?

You can claim reasonable expenses for approved council business.

Can I be a councillor and work full time?

Yes. Many Members work full time. Meetings are held in the evening. By law you must attend at least one meeting of the Council every six months, but we hope you will attend far more than that.

Will my home address be made public?

You can ask for your home address not to appear on the ballot paper or the notice of election. Councillors' home addresses are also no longer published automatically on the Register of Interests.

What if I have a disability or caring responsibilities?

Tell us what you need. We will make reasonable adjustments so you can take part fully, from accessible papers to meeting arrangements. Council meetings currently take place in person.

What standards will I be held to?

All Members must follow the Members' Code of Conduct. Among other things, it requires you to treat people with respect, declare your interests and use Council resources properly.

I am 18 to 25. Am I too young?

No. If you meet the eligibility rules above, you can stand. Stotfold needs younger voices at the table, and you will not be the first person to find council jargon baffling.

Talk to us

Still wondering? Have a chat. You can contact any of our current councillors to hear what the role is really like. You can also speak to the Town Clerk about how the Council works and what support is available.

Stotfold Town Council

Greenacre Centre, Valerian Way, Stotfold SG5 4HG 

Telephone: 01462 730064

Email: [email protected] 

For nomination papers and questions about the election process, contact Electoral Servics at Central Bedfordshire Council. 

Contact the Town Clerk

See upcoming meetings

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