Parish Council Elections 2025

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This is a temporary page to help Parishioners consider volunteering for the role of Councillor and submit their nomination form. Please see the Parish Council page for further details about the role and scope of the Parish Council. Please consider standing.

Please read down the whole page as information is added as it arises.

In summary:

Get your nomination form from Ruby (clerk@holcotvillage.co.uk) or download here – there is a worked example here to help fill out the form. Liaise with Ruby about the submission of your form – submission is due by 2 April at 4pm. To complete the form you will also need some electoral roll information from Ruby.

To help administratively, please let Ruby know of your intention to stand.

To help you submit your form, Ruby has made an appointment with WNC officers on 27 March. If you would like Ruby to take your form, please get it to her before this date. Ruby’s contact details are here. Whilst it is a very straightforward form, Ruby suggests sending a draft form to her so that she can check it for you and help fill any blanks.

If you would like to submit your own form, the details are at the bottom of this page, or on West Northamptonshire Council’s elections page here.

For information, the Electoral Commission’s election timetable is here.

It’s election time at Holcot Parish Council!

Elections will be held on 1 May for the 8 Councillor roles on our Parish Council.

Holcot thrives when its residents take an active role in shaping its future. By standing for election, you will be making a real impact on your community. Whether you are passionate about environmental issues, community engagement, or maintaining local traditions, your contribution matters.

Make a Difference in Holcot – Stand for Parish Council!

Holcot is a wonderful parish with a strong community spirit, but keeping it that way requires dedicated individuals who are willing to step up and take part in shaping its future. With the upcoming Parish Council elections, now is the perfect time to consider standing as a candidate. If you care about Holcot and want to play an active role in maintaining and improving the parish for current and future generations, this is your chance.

What Does a Parish Councillor Do?

A Parish Councillor is a local representative who works to ensure that the needs and interests of the community are met. The role is voluntary but comes with significant influence over local matters. Parish Councillors:

  • Influence Local Decisions – Help shape policies on housing, planning, transport, and green spaces.
  • Support the Community – Represent residents’ concerns and make improvements to parish life.
  • Manage Resources – Oversee budgets, grants, and funding for local projects and initiatives.
  • Preserve the Parish – Work to protect Holcot’s heritage, environment, and amenities.

Holcot Parish Council is responsible for practical things like the playing field and street lighting, representing the views of the Parish on planning applications and local issues. It also promotes the community and deals with local government on such issues as road safety, footpaths and the rural environment. Over the last four years we’ve worked on with some big issues – the local plan, transport planning, Green Hill Solar Farm, many consultations from WNC – and some smaller important things – the community reaction to the passing of the Queen and coronation of the King for instance

The Parish Council meets in the evening on the third Monday of each month, normally for 10 months of the year. There are other activities outside of these meetings, taking just a few hours each month.

Why Should You Stand?

Becoming a Parish Councillor is an opportunity to give back to your community, ensuring that Holcot remains a fantastic place to live and visit. You do not need any prior experience—just a passion for Holcot and a desire to make a difference.

Some key reasons to stand include:

  • Being a voice for local residents and ensuring their concerns are heard.
  • Making tangible improvements to community facilities, green spaces, and infrastructure.
  • Gaining valuable experience in local governance, teamwork, and decision-making.
  • Shaping the future of Holcot by having a say in key planning and development issues.

Who Can Stand for Election?

Broadly, to be eligible to stand for election as a Holcot Parish Councillor, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Be a British citizen, a Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of an EU member state.
  • Be on the electoral register.

You should be comfortable working electronically, and have a positive outlook and a can-do attitude. You must be willing to work as part of a team.

How to Get Involved

If you are interested in standing, the process is straightforward. Here’s how you can take the next steps:

  1. Learn More – Attend a Parish Council meeting or speak to current councillors about their experiences.
  2. Complete a Nomination Form – Available from Ruby or online.
  3. Encourage Voter Participation – The more engaged the community is, the stronger the Parish Council will be.

If you would like to discuss the role of Councillor please contact David Walker on 07802 416704, or talk to any of the other current Councillors – details are on the Parish Council page. For anything else, please contact Ruby ( clerk@holcotvillage.co.uk)

NCALC‘s* thirteen excuses for not joining the Parish Council….

THIRTEEN EXCUSES FOR NOT JOINING THE PARISH COUNCIL

1.    “I’m too young.”

If you are eighteen (the age limit dropped from 21 to 18 way back in 2007) you are old enough (and see point 5 below.)

2.    “What’s the point of just joining a talking shop, they don’t do anything.” 

Have you ever been to a meeting? Basing your judgement on watching ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ is definitely not valid.

3.    “I haven’t got any planning applications in at the moment.” 

Putting in for planning permission has got nothing to do with sitting on the council, whatever may have happened years ago. In fact, if your own application is discussed by the council, you would have to follow the council’s Code of Conduct and national ethical standards, and the restrictions on participating in such circumstances. 

4.    “I’m too busy, and couldn’t commit to attending every single meeting”.

Meetings are rarely more frequent than one evening a month, and missing the occasional one is acceptable. Most meetings only take a couple of hours.

5.    “I’m concentrating on finding a job or furthering my career.”

Being a local councillor is a definite plus point to add to a CV – it shows you can make decisions, work in a team, are community minded and proactive. Prospective employers will be impressed.

6.    “I haven’t lived here very long and don’t know the area well.” 

If you are a Commonwealth/EU citizen and have lived or worked in the parish for a year or already have your name on the electoral roll, you are eligible…..  Your views as an ‘incomer’ should be welcomed, as you will probably see things more objectively.

7.    “I’m worried that I won’t get many votes, and look silly.”

 Even if you are not voted on this time, you may well be approached if a vacancy occurs in the future and have to opportunity to be co-opted to the council.

8.    “Our parish council is full of old fogeys.”

Join up and change it then.

9.    “I’d look a fool because I won’t know what’s going on.” 

You will be eased in gently; there is help, advice and training available. The clerk is the officer of the council, and he or she will be able to explain the rules.

10. “I’ll have to sign that code of conduct thing that the press keep on about.” 

The code of conduct is nowhere near as onerous as made out in the press – and is there to protect you – i.e. the code stops situations like the planning one above.

11. “I’ll have to let everyone know all about my business and personal affairs.” 

The declaration of interest form completed at the outset asks you to list business interests within the parish area, to guard against bias when parish issues are debated. As for personal affairs, get real, everyone knows about those already!

12. “I’m too lazy, and not interested in my community.” 

An excellent reason for not joining.

13. “I prefer to let others do the work, and then criticize from the sidelines afterwards”. 

Also a valid reason for not joining, but do bear in mind, that expounding your views in the pub, rather than the council chamber, will not change a thing in your parish – and if you can’t be bothered, does that mean it’s fair game to criticize those who do make the effort? 

*NCALC are part of a national paid membership support network that provide legal, social, regulatory and other expertise (and training) for Parish Councils. They also represent all Councils with local and central government. As a Council and Councillor they provide invaluable support and expertise.

Submit your own form – WNC instructions – only relevant if you want to take your own form. Otherwise, see instructions at the top of the page.

Due to expected numbers, we will be running an appointment system for the submission of nomination papers. Appointments are 15-minute slots and can be booked by emailing ReturningOfficer@westnorthants.gov.uk with your name, date and time you’d like to come in and a contact telephone number or calling the Elections Team on 01604 526130.  A member of the team will then contact you to arrange a date and time. You are welcome to just “turn up” at any of the locations during the dates and times given, however you may be required to wait until an officer is free to take your nomination paper and process it.

We are operating from The Guildhall One Stop Shop, Northampton on all days, but only specified days at The Abbey, Daventry and The Forum, Towcester full details will be included on the Notice of Election and are detailed below:

The Abbey, Daventry

20 March – 9am – 4.30pm

26 March – 9am – 4.30pm

28 March – 9am – 4.30pm

The Guildhall, One Stop Shop, Northampton

17 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              26 March – 9am – 7pm

18 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              27 March – 9am – 4.30pm

19 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              28 March – 9am – 4.30pm

20 March – 9am – 7pm                                   31 March – 9am – 7pm

21 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              1 April – 9am – 7pm

24 March – 9am – 7pm                                   2 April – 9am – 4pm

25 March – 9am – 4.30pm

The Forum, Towcester

17 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              25 March – 9am – 4.30pm

18 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              27 March – 9am – 4.30pm

19 March – 9am – 7pm                                   31 March – 9am – 7pm

21 March – 9am – 4.30pm                              1 April – 9am – 7pm

24 March – 9am – 7pm                                   1 April – 9am – 7pm