How do I stand to be a Local Councillor for Solihull Council?

To be eligible to stand as a candidate at a local government election in England you must: 

• be at least 18 years old
• be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights, and
• meet at least one of the following four qualifications:
  • you are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector in the Solihull area from the day of your nomination onwards
  • you have occupied as an owner or tenant any land or other premises in Solihull during the last 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of the election
  • your main or only place of work during the last 12 months prior to your nomination and the day of the election is in Solihull
  • you have lived in Solihull during the whole of the previous 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of the election

In addition to the above qualifications, you must not be disqualified. A full range of disqualifications can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website. 

Candidates and agents briefing

The Returning Officer will be hosting a briefing to potential candidates and election agents ahead of the May polls. 

This will take place on Monday 9 February 2026 at 6:00pm at:

Civic Suite
Homer Road
Solihull
B91 9SE

If you would like to attend, either in person or remotely, please contact Matthew Rossi, Electoral Services Manager by email at matthew.rossi@solihull.gov.uk.

Standing as a political candidate

If you wish to stand as a candidate of behalf of a registered political party, the party must be registered on the Electoral Commission’s register of political parties.   

You must submit the following papers to be a valid candidate:

1. nomination paper
2. home address form
3. your consent to nomination
4. certificate authorising you to use the party name or a registered description on the ballot paper
5. written request to use one of the party’s emblems (if you would like one to appear on the ballot paper)

You can download the nomination papers or request a paper copy from the Electoral Services Office by emailing election@solihull.gov.uk. 

Standing as an independent candidate

If you wish to stand as an independent candidate, you must submit the following three papers to be a valid candidate:

1. nomination paper
2. home address form
3. your consent to nomination 

You can download the nomination papers or request a paper copy from the Electoral Services Office by emailing election@solihull.gov.uk. 

What description can I use?

You can use the following descriptions depending on whether you're standing as a political or independent candidate. 

Standing as a political candidate

If you are standing as a political candidate, you can:

• leave it blank
• use the name of the political party
• use one of the registered descriptions

If you are standing on behalf of two political parties, you may use a joint description as registered with the Electoral Commission. In this case, you will need authorisation from the Nominating Officer for each of the registered parties. 

Standing as an independent candidate

If you are standing as an independent candidate, you can:

• leave it blank
• use the word “independent”

Do I have to publish my home address?

You may choose for your home address not to be published on the statement of persons nominated and the ballot paper. In this case, you must complete the relevant section on the home address form, which is part of the nomination pack. 

What is the deadline to deliver my nomination papers?

The deadline to deliver your nomination papers is 4:00pm on Thursday 9 April 2026.

Nomination papers can only be accepted after we have published the Notice of Election, which will be on Tuesday 24 March 2026.  

Where do I deliver my papers to?

Nomination papers must be delivered by hand to:

Electoral Services
Solihull Council
Council House
Manor Square
Solihull
B91 3QB

Nomination papers delivered electronically will not be accepted.

To make an appointment please contact Matthew Rossi, Electoral Services Manager by email at matthew.rossi@solihull.gov.uk.