Petition · past parliament · Cabinet Office
Require those standing in local elections live or work in the area they stand.
Closed
383 signatures
What the petition asks
I recently stood in the local elections on the 6th May.
I learnt that someone can stand in an area without living or working in the area by using the qualification to occupy land or other premises as owner/tenant.
In the case I saw it meant someone rented a council garage to qualify to stand.
I learnt that someone can stand in an area without living or working in the area by using the qualification to occupy land or other premises as owner/tenant.
In the case I saw it meant someone rented a council garage to qualify to stand.
Get rid of the qualification 1 (b) in section 79 of the Local Government Act 1972 that states “he has during the whole of the twelve months preceding that day occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in that area”.
Councillors should live or work in the area they wish to represent. This qualification enables them to not do so and is open to abuse. Councillors will be making decisions about an area they don’t even pay council tax too.
The other 3 qualifications more than suffice.
Councillors should live or work in the area they wish to represent. This qualification enables them to not do so and is open to abuse. Councillors will be making decisions about an area they don’t even pay council tax too.
The other 3 qualifications more than suffice.
Timeline
| 24 May 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 24 Nov 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
383
Status
Closed
Department
Cabinet Office
Opened
24 May 2021
Closed
24 Nov 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.