Elections usually take place every four years. The timescales, advertising and process of elections is governed by a statutory procedure. All candidates have to be proposed and seconded by electors of the parish.

With a few exceptions you can be a councillor if you are:

• 18 years of age or over at the date of your nomination
• a Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or a citizen of another member state of the European Community,

and either:

• a local government elector (voter) for the area of the authority, or
• have during the whole of the 12 months preceding the day on which you are nominated as a candidate occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the area of the authority, or
• have your principal or only place of work in the 12 months preceding the day on which you are nominated as a candidate in the area of the authority, or
• have lived in the area of the authority during the whole of the 12 months preceding the day on which you are nominated as candidate.

Buckinghamshire Council's local democracy service can also provide more information.

If an existing Councillor post becomes vacant, the vacancy is advertised for a fixed period of time and – unless ten electors have requested a poll – the vacancy is filled by co-option at a subsequent council meeting.