How to become a councillor

You can be a candidate if you are over 18, on the electoral register, and have lived, worked or owned property in Dudley Metropolitan Borough, for at least the past 12 months prior to you being nominated as a candidate.

You may be disqualified as a candidate if you work for the council or hold a politically restricted post with another local authority. Bankruptcy or a previous criminal conviction with a three-month or more prison sentence would also disqualify you as a candidate.

There is an election for one councillor to each of the 24 wards on the first Thursday in May of each election year.

Most candidates are nominated through a political party. If you wish to stand as a candidate for a particular political party, then you should get in touch with that party’s local organisation.

Individuals are also welcome to stand in their own right.

Before you can be accepted as a candidate you must have a nomination paper signed by 2 electors registered in the Ward in which you are to stand. You must also sign a consent to nomination form.