Is there anything that could disqualify me from becoming a councillor?
A person is disqualified from acting as a Candidate under the Local Government Act 1972 if he or she: • Is employed by or holds a paid office under that local authority (including joint boards or committees), OR • Has been adjudged bankrupt, or has made a composition or arrangement with creditors, OR • Has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 3 months or more (including a suspended sentence) without the option of a fine, during the five years before the day of the election, OR • Has been disqualified under Part lll of the Representation of the People Act 1983 or under the Audit Commission Act 1998. A person may also be disqualified from election if he or she has been convicted or reported guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court. Additionally, the Local Government Housing Act 1989 defines a number of politically restricted posts under a local authority, holders of which are disqualified from election to and membership of a local authority.
