Person who wanted to stand as a parish councillor missed deadline because the Clerk was in holiday.

Question

A parishioner responded to an advert in a village newsletter and expressed an interest in becoming a Parish Councillor (on 26 April 2015).  In mid-May the Clerk informed him that she had been on holiday and it was now too late.  (as the Elections were of course held on 7 May).

The parishioner is understandbly cross.  However, we know that the due process is for him to obtain election papers from the District Council not the Parish Council.

But how liable is the Parish Council for not prov iding Clerk cover at this vital time - in the run up to Elections?

Answer 1

Well, I wouldn't think that any question of liability would arise. There's very little that a parish council must do, as opposed to what it may do.

In this case, the parishioner was too late anyway. The last date for nominations for parish councils in 2015 was 9 April.

With benefit of hindsight, it would have been sensible for the village newsletter to state the closing date for nominations, and to refer to the elections people at the district council, as well as the parish clerk. Things to consider next time!