Voters from the village will head to the polls this May to choose who will represent them on the District Council – and, potentially, the Parish Council.
South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) insisted this year’s local elections would always go ahead on Thursday, 7 May 2026, despite the Government saying councils could delay them because of the ongoing costs related to local government reorganisation.
But Ministers abandoned proposals earlier this week following advice that the move could be unlawful and Reform UK launched a legal challenge. It means councils due to have elections in May will now have to move forwards with organising them.
SCDC estimates the overall cost of this year’s district elections is between £360,000-£380,000 – however a Council spokesperson explained “this is subject to many variables”.
Standing as Councillor
Preparations for 7 May are already underway. H&I Parish Council will host its last Full Council meeting next month and advice and guidance is already available for residents who are considering standing as a Councillor.
SCDC is hosting a Candidate and Agent’s briefing for the district council elections on Wednesday, 4 March at 6pm. The session will be accessible both in person and online.
“We strongly recommend all agents attend the session and encourage candidates to do so as well,” says SCDC’s Elections 2026 webpage.
Anyone wishing to attend, or seeking advice about becoming a Councillor, can email the Council’s Elections department at elections@scambs.gov.uk.
Nominations
All candidates who wish to stand for SCDC or H&I Parish Council must submit an official nomination form. The nomination period opens on 30 March and closes at 4pm on 9 April. Papers must be hand delivered to SCDC’s Elections department.
District Council and Parish Council candidates have to meet the criteria outlined below and must have two electors from the relevant area to support their nomination.
District Councillors for the village will cover the parishes of Histon, Impington and Orchard Park.
Meanwhile, anyone hoping for a seat on H&I Parish Council will need supporters from the relevant village they wish to represent.
Although the two Parish Councils merged in 2012 to streamline decision-making, some historic administrative arrangements remain. As a result, Impington candidates require Impington supporters, while Histon candidates must be nominated by Histon supporters.
Costs
Contested Parish Council elections are rare in South Cambridgeshire. But in 2022, for the first time in 35 years, Impington residents voted for their Parish Councillors at the ballot box, though the candidates for the Histon Parish were all elected unopposed.
Also, of the 19 H&I Parish Councillors, the majority – eleven – were from Histon because of the larger size of the electorate.
Parish Councils are responsible for paying the cost of their elections. Uncontested elections are subject to a nominal charge of £15 per seat. This year, parishes may be able to share certain contested election expenses – such as staffing and polling station costs – with SCDC.
However, they must cover Parish-specific costs including ballot papers and postal voting. A council spokesperson said a “reasonable expectation” for a mid-sized Parish’s costs is between £4,000 and £5,000, depending on candidate numbers.
Requirements
Candidates do not need to pay a deposit to stand in a local election. According to the Local Government Association, to take part they must be:-
- At least 18 years old on nomination day;
- A British or Commonwealth citizen (EU citizens may also qualify under updated rules); and
- Registered to vote locally, or have lived, worked, or owned property in the area for at least 12 months.
Candidates cannot be a Councillor if they:-
- Work for the council they are seeking election for (with limited exceptions);
- Are subject to bankruptcy restrictions;
- Have received a prison sentence of three months or more within the past five years;
- Have been convicted of electoral corruption or illegal practices; or
- Are subject to relevant notification requirements relating to a sexual offence.
Visit the SCDC Elections 2026 webpages for further information about standing as a candidate or email elections@scambs.gov.uk.
READ MORE: Consultation opens on ‘once-in-a-generation’ shake-up of councils
