Become a Parish Councillor in
Bishop Middleham and Mainsforth

Help Shape the Future of Your Community

Parish Councillors are local people who volunteer their time to help improve the communities in which they live.

If you care about Bishop Middleham and Mainsforth and would like to make a positive difference, becoming a Parish Councillor could be one of the most rewarding ways to get involved.

You don’t need previous experience in local government—just enthusiasm, common sense, and a willingness to work with others for the benefit of the parish.

What is the Parish Council

Bishop Middleham Parish Council is the first tier of local government, representing the communities of Bishop Middleham and Mainsforth.

We work on behalf of our community to:

  • Support local events and community projects.
  • Improve local facilities and public spaces.
  • Maintain community assets.
  • Protect and enhance our local heritage.
  • Work with Durham County Council and partner organisations.
  • Represent the views and interests of local residents.

Our Vision
Conserving our Past – Building our Future

Why Become a Parish Councillor?

Serving as a Parish Councillor is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference in your local community.

Benefits include:

  • Giving something back to your community.
  • Influencing local decisions.
  • Improving facilities and services for residents.
  • Working with like-minded people.
  • Learning new skills and gaining valuable experience.
  • Developing leadership, communication and decision-making skills.
  • Seeing community projects become reality.
  • Helping to preserve our heritage while planning for the future.

No special qualifications are required, and training and support are available for all new councillors.

Current Opportunities

From time to time vacancies arise on the Parish Council through elections or co-option.

When vacancies become available they will be advertised:

  • On this website
  • On the Parish Council’s Facebook page
  • On parish noticeboards

If there are no current vacancies, you are still welcome to contact us to express your interest in becoming a future councillor.

Did You Know?

You don’t need previous experience in local government.

Training and support are provided, and new councillors are encouraged to learn as they go.

The most important qualities are enthusiasm, integrity and a commitment to your community.

What Does a Parish Councillor Do?

Parish Councillors are or co-opted members of the Council who work together to make decisions for the benefit of the whole community.  As a councillor you may:

  • Represent the views of local residents.
  • Help shape the future of our parish.
  • Decide how the Parish Council’s budget is spent.
  • Support community projects and local events.
  • Help improve our parks, open spaces and local environment.
  • Consider planning applications affecting the parish.

Council meetings are normally held once each month, with occasional additional meetings or community events.

Who Can Become a Parish Councillor?

To be eligible to become a Parish Councillor, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland.
  • Meet at least one of the following qualifications:
    • Be registered as a local government elector for the parish; or
    • Have occupied land or other premises within the parish during the previous 12 months; or
    • Have had your principal or only place of work within the parish during the previous 12 months; or
    • Have lived within the parish, or within 3 miles of it, during the previous 12 months.

You cannot become a Parish Councillor if you:

  • Are disqualified under the Localism Act 2011 following a conviction for a corrupt or illegal electoral practice.
  • Are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order.
  • Have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence) during the five years before polling day or since being elected.

How to Apply

When vacancies are advertised, applicants will normally be asked to submit a short Expression of Interest explaining:

  • Why they would like to become a Parish Councillor.
  • What skills, knowledge or experience they could bring to the Council.

Application details, closing dates and any supporting information will be published on our home page.

Find Out More

If you would like to learn more about the role of a Parish Councillor or discuss what is involved, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

We are always happy to have an informal conversation with anyone who is considering becoming a Parish Councillor.

Together, we can continue Conserving our Past – Building our Future.