Become a Councillor


We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect our community to put themselves forward for election.


Make a change for good and become a councillor.

Anyone interested in putting themselves forward to become a Councillor should complete the co-option form and return it to the Clerk. For more information about the duties of a Councillor, please contact any of the current Councillors or the Clerk.


There is also a good range of reading matter available. You can contact the Clerk for a copy of The Good Councillor’s Guide, the Code of Conduct or see the National Association of Local Councils website. It’s a great start to explain Parish Councillor responsibilities.


All Parish Councillors must abide by the Code of Conduct and if you are thinking of putting yourself forward, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with it first.


Come and join us and help make a difference!


  • Who can become a Councillor?

    To stand for election to a Parish Councillor you must meet the following criteria:


    Essential Criteria

    • You must be over 18 and on the electoral register

    • A resident of Yarnton (although there are certain exceptions)

    • Able to attend regular evening meetings

    • Interested in local issues and things which affect people.

    • A British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union*

    • Have an understanding and willingness to represent the views of the whole community.


    Note* - See Electoral Commission website


    Desirable Criteria

    • Keen to improve the local environment and quality of life.

    • Interested in learning and developing your role in the community

    • Able to use basic level of IT including email and have access to the internet as the much of Council work is conducted digitally.

    • Be willing to contribute your expertise whether that be knowledge of the Parish, practical skills or knowledge of planning, HR, IT, finance, communications etc.

  • What do Parish Councils do?

    A Parish Council is a local authority that makes decisions on behalf of the people in the Parish.  It is the level of local government closest to the community, with the District Authority and the County Authority further up the hierarchy.  Parish Councils make all kinds of decisions on issues that affect the local community. Probably the most common topics that Parish or Town councils get involved with are planning matters (they are statutory consultees), liaising with other agencies regarding schools, crime prevention and roads & highways, sport, play and park facilities.  


    These external organisations know that a Parish Council gives the best reflection of how its community feels about something and that its views should be taken seriously.  Yarnton Parish Council also has responsibility for setting and allocating a local budget within its neighbourhood.


    Yarnton Parish Council:

    • has responsibility for grass cutting, the burial ground, the village orchard and litter tidying 

    • liaises with Cherwell District Council AND Oxfordshire County Council on services for which they have responsibility.

    • represents residents views 

    • works with Yarnton Flood Defence Group to mitigate flooding

    • supports community Speedwatch

    • promotes social engagement

  • Current Parish Council projects and issues

    Local councillors are the champions of their community who invest time in local projects and issues to the benefit of residents and the neighbourhood.   


    You can help shape the Council’s agenda which currently focuses on a wide range of issues including:

    • The development of an additional 2,000 homes in our Parish

    • The proposed closure of Sandy Lane to vehicular traffic

    • Planned development of large solar farm in local area

    • Flooding risks

    • Improve facilities (play area and pavilion) at • Rutten Lane Park

    • Increased traffic volumes on the A44

    • Traffic speeding and parking issues

    • Increased airport noise pollution

    • Inadequate provision for children and young adults 

    • Antisocial behaviour 

  • Parish Councillor commitment

    In addition to attending the 13 meetings each year, (11 monthly meetings held at 6.30 on the second Wednesday of each month, a finance meeting held in January and the annual village meeting (held in April) councillors may also attend other meetings, liaise with residents, councillors, neighbouring parish councils as well as the district and county councillors.  


    Each councillor leads on a particular area of responsibility such as highways, planning, environmental matters, playing fields, burial ground and grass cutting amongst other items.  


    Time commitments vary from week to week, but typically may range from 2 to 5 hours.

  • Training and support

    Yarnton Parish Council has access to a range of training offered by Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils, including training for new Councillors.

  • Remuneration

    Councillors can claim expenses if attending meetings outside of Yarnton. Those who wish to seek renumeration are eligible for a payment of £450 per year, paid quarterly.

  • Find out more

    In order to find out more about becoming a Councillor, you can attend a Parish Council meeting, or contact the Parish Clerk.