The Parish Council is made up of 11 Councillors who represent the interests of the village and the community we serve. The council has regular monthly meetings in the Mariners’ Hall and other committee meetings as necessary throughout the year. Councillors are volunteers for which they receive no renumeration. Legislation sets out and provides the powers under which the Parish Council may act and on what it may spend money.
How to become a Parish Councillor
Parish Councillors are community leaders who are able to influence decisions for the benefit of their parish. They are someone their community will look to for help, guidance and support. Councillors must adhere to the Code of Conduct adopted by Beer Parish Council, it sets out the rules members should work to. Elections must happen every four years, our last elections took place in May 2023 and will next take place in May 2027. To stand for election candidates must meet criteria set out in The Local Government Act 1972 that are listed below. For more information relating to these qualifications, please read the Electoral Commission's Guidance.
Once elected a Councillor will sit on the Parish Council for four years and may stand for re-election at the end of their term. A Councillor may resign from their post at any point by handing in their resignation to the Chair of the Council.
To fill a vacancy between elections the Parish Council will co-opt a new Councillor at the next Full Council meeting, unless an election has been requested by a parishioner. Election requests must be signed by at least 10 parishioners. When an election is triggered, East Devon District Council take charge of the process and will invoice the Parish Council for their work.
Please contact the Parish Clerk if you would like to find out more about becoming a Beer Parish Councillor, or one of our Councillors who would be happy to talk to you about the role.
Email: clerk@beer-pc.gov.uk
Councillor Eligibility Criteria - On the day of nomination and the poll you must:
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union, and
• Meet at least one of the following four qualifications:
1. Your name must appear on the register of local government electors for the parish/ community at the time of your nomination and throughout your term of office should you be elected.
2. You have occupied any land or other premises as owner or tenant in the parish/ community during 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.
3. Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the parish/community area. You do not have to have paid employment to qualify, as long as your main or only place of work is in the parish/community area. For example, Councillors who’s main or only job is being a Councillor would be able to use this qualification, if their council office is within the parish/community.
4. You have lived in the parish/community area or within three miles of it during 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.
You may be disqualified as a candidate if any of the following apply:
• You are employed by the parish/community council or hold a paid office under the parish/community council (including joint boards or committees).
• You have been declared bankrupt in the last five years and has not repaid your debts.
• You have been convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to at least three months imprisonment (including any suspended sentence) within the previous five years.
• You are disqualified due to corrupt practices under the Representation of the People Act 1983 or the Audit Commission Act.
Find out more about your councillors