Criteria for becoming a Councillor?

• be at least 18 years old

• be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of any member state of the European Union or a qualifying foreign citizen

and meet at least one of the following four qualifications:

•  You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the local authority area in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards.
• You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.
• Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the local authority area.
• You have lived in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

To assess whether you fit the criteria to become a councillor, please refer to the Local Government Act 1972, which outlines the qualification details in full.

You cannot be a councillor if you:

• Work for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council; (this only applies to becoming a county borough councillors - not community councillors) However, you are not disqualified from standing as a candidate at an election to a local authority*. or
• Hold a politically restricted post or
• Currently subject to a bankruptcy order; or
• You have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which covers corrupt or illegal electoral practices; or
• Have served a prison sentence (including suspended sentences) of 3 months or more within the last 5 years; or
• Have been disqualified under legislation relating to illegal or corrupt practices
• You are subject to the notification requirements of or under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and the ordinary period allowed for making an appeal or application in respect of the order or notification has passed.

*If elected, the disqualification of working for the local authority does not apply at any time before you make a declaration of acceptance of office. You must have resigned your post before signing the declaration of acceptance of office.

Further guidance and resources can be found by visiting the Electoral Commission page.  https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/candidate-or-agent/local-elections-wales