Parish council elections are held every four years in County Durham. The next parish council elections will be held on 1 May 2025 at the same time as Durham County Council Elections.
Election Organisation
Elections are organised by the Returning Officer for Durham County Council. To stand for election candidates must submit nomination papers, available from Electoralservices@durham.gov.uk or at The nomination form | Electoral Commission. This paper must be signed by you – the candidate – and also by two subscribers (proposer and seconder) who are electors of the relevant parish or ward. Papers must be submitted to the Returning Officer. Submission by hand is encouraged for peace of mind and that correctly completed. It is the candidates responsibility to ensure their papers are received in time. The nomination period for the Ma 2025 elections is a short window of time from Fri 21 March at 10am and Weds 2 April at 4pm.
All of the ‘seats’ on parish councils will become vacant in May 2025. If there are more candidates than seats available, the election will proceed to a poll. If not, the Returning Officer will declare the candidates as duly elected, unopposed. Local councillors take up their positions four days after the elections, usually the Monday following the elections, although for 2025 as that is a bank holiday it will be Tues 6 May..
If there are insufficient candidates to fill all council member seats then following the election, the council (if quorate) can move to co-option to fill any remaining vacancies and if not done within 35 days following the election date, the principal authority can take the appropriate action to fill any vacancies. This may include running another election process.
The Electoral Commission website provides all the details a candidate needs to know.
Election Timetable
A summary of the election timetable for 2025 is shown below. Polling Day is Thurs 1 May 7am to 10pm.
The full timetable is found at Electoral Commission website.
- Publication of Notice of Election: Thurs 20 March
- Receipt of nominations: Fri 21 Mar to Weds 2 April 10am to 4pm
- Withdrawal of Candidate: By Weds 2 April 4pm
- Publication of Notice of Election Agents: By Weds 2 April 4pm
- Publication of Statements of Persons Nominated: Thurs 3 April 4pm
- Last date for registration to vote: Fri 11 April
- Receipt of postal vote applications: By Mon 14 April 5pm
- Publish Notice of Poll: tbc but not later than Weds 23 April
- Receipt of Proxy Vote Applications: By Weds 23 April 5pm
- Appointment of Poll and Count Agents: Thurs 24 April
- First day to issue replacement lost postal ballot papers: Fri 25 April
- Receipt of Emergency Proxy Vote Applications: By Thurs 1 May 5pm
- Last day to issue replacement spoilt or lost postal ballot papers: Thurs 1 May 5pm
- Day of Election: Thurs 1 May 7am to 10pm
- Declaration of candidates expenses: Thurs 29 May