Clipstone Parish Council has nine seats. These are filled through democratic elections every four years. The last elections were in 2023. If there are not sufficient candidates to fill all the vacancies in the two wards, then all candidates are returned unopposed. If members leave the council through resignation or disqualification, the electorate is informed of the vacancy. There will be a by-election if 10 or more electors request one.
If no by-election is called, vacancies can be filed by co-option.
Parish councillors are not paid for serving their community nor do Clipstone Parish Councillor receive an allowance to fulfill their democratic duty.
The Parish Council has adopted a code of conduct, which councillors are held to adhere to. It is based on the
The Seven Principles of Public Life
The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder. This includes all those who are elected or appointed to public office, nationally and locally, and all people appointed to work local government. They are
1 Selflessness
Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
2 Integrity
Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
3 Objectivity
Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
4 Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
5 Openness
Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
6 Honesty
Holders of public office should be truthful.
7 Leadership
Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.
Declarations of interest
All members of Clipstone Parish Council completed a Declaration of Interests document. (Please note, these documents are completed by hand and signed before being scanned and redacted to be displayed on this website. The document may not be readable with assistive technology. An accessible transcript will be available shortly.)