If I resign from the Parish Council can I stand again at the next election

Question

Since being elected to the Parish Council (the first non-co-Opted member for many many years) I have faced a onslaught of abuse and hostility.  I was given no welcome and no instruction and have not been given any access to legal, financial or historical documents.  I am given misinformation, my post is opened or lost, there have been meetings that I have not been invited to, my business has been threatened and service around my home have suddenly stopped so for example the grit bin was not filled this winter, the leaves were not swept on my side of the street when the rest of the road was done. I truly dread going to council meeting as I never know what type of abuse I will get.
I joined the council because I was unhappy with the service we as a village were getting from the council, but after 18 months of hostility I see now there is nothing I can do without others on the council in my camp.  I do have a lot of support around the village (in fact I got more that double the number of votes than any other councilor in the election) but without support from within the council I just cant get anything done or induce the council to make any changes or even to listen to me.
I have rallied round the troupes and come the next election we have a good group of people who are going to stand for election but I just don't think I can stand spending time with these people until then!
Sorry to go on but I love working for the village but I just cant take the abuse so wondered if anyone knows if I would be able to stand for reelection after resigning

Answer 1

I'm sure that Counterpoint  will give you chapter and verse on whether you can seek re-election if you resign.  An alternative approach is to consider what is happening to you and think about possible breaches to your Councils Code of Conduct. If the council will not supply you with one the  Principal Authority will have have a version, or the National Association of Local Councils  model is a good one.             If there are breaches you have the option of making a formal complaint to the Principal Authority's Monitoring Officer. Best thing to do is to keep a careful record of what is said and done, including any breaches of Standing Orders or Standing Financial Instructions. There is usually a time limit from the occurrence and the complaint, so may be a good idea to find a significant issue to home in on.    You have my sympathies, something similar is happening in my neck of the woods and it is certainly a difficult experience.

Answer 2

Yes you can, and I am able to give a specific example. In a hotly contested issue, the chairman of a council resigned during August 2010 in protest at the actions being taken by the council. In November of the same year, 10 outraged citizens demanded a poll to fill vacancies caused by two resignations (rather than allowing co-option). Six candidates stood for the two seats, including the former chairman who had resigned in August. He was one of the candidates elected and so rejoined the council with electoral backing for opposing the disputed project. He is currently still a member of the council. The project was scrapped.

Comments

Thank you so much for this answer it's really helpful.