Conservators' Election 2021

Every three years there is an election for the five elected Conservators and the next election will take place in March 2021. On this page you will find information about the election which will be updated as necessary in the period running through to the election.  If you have any questions about the election or standing as a candidate please email election@wpcc.org.uk

Submission of candidate applications

Because of the vagaries of the postal service in the local area due to the impact of Covid-19 on Royal Mail delivery services, the Returning Officer will accept candidate applications submitted solely by email to election@wpcc.org.uk

Election Publicity Plan

The Returning Officer has published his publicity plan for the forthcoming Election which can be downloaded here.

Guidance for candidates

To assist prospective candidates, the guidance for candidates contained in WPCC’s Election Guidelines and Procedures has been extracted into a separate document and can be downloaded here.

Complaints procedure

If you have a complaint about any aspect of the election process you can make a formal complaint using an Election Complaint Form which you can download here. The completed form should be emailed to complaints@wpcc.org.uk or posted or delivered to Manor Cottage, Wimbledon Common, SW19 5NR.

The Returning Officer (or WPCC staff) will endeavour to respond to complaints within five working days. If a full response cannot be made within this timescale, the complainant will be advised.

Inspection of the list of electors

Under the terms of The Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act 1871 and the Election Bye-Laws (1990), there is a requirement for the list of electors (the List) to be made available for public inspection at the Ranger’s Office on Wimbledon Common between 30 December 2020 and 19 January 2021. The purpose of making the List available is to enable residents to check that they are correctly recorded as electors.

The Returning Officer has received legal advice that it would not be lawful to allow the public inspection of the List because of the provisions of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020 No. 1374 (as amended).

Consequently, if you wish to confirm that you are correctly recorded on the List you should adopt one of the following procedures:

• email election@wpcc.org.uk with your full name and address, or
• write to The Ranger’s Office giving your full name and address, or
• telephone the Ranger’s Office giving your full name and address,

and we will write to you confirming the position.

Any request for the correction of errors and omissions in the List must be made in writing addressed to the Chief Executive at The Ranger’s Office, Manor Cottage, Windmill Road, London SW19 5NR or by email to election@wpcc.org.uk so as to arrive no later than Wednesday 20 January 2021.

Meetings for prospective candidates

The Returning Officer and the Acting Chief Executive held meetings with a number of prospective candidates on 5 and 7 January 2021. The objective of the meetings was to give a brief overview of WPCC, what is involved in being a Conservator (Trustee) and the application process.

If any prospective candidate who was unable to attend those meetings would like to attend a meeting with the Returning Officer then he/she should email election@wpcc.org.uk.

Statutory Notice of Election issued

Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators have today issued the statutory notice of the election of Conservators to be held on 10 March 2021. A copy of the notice can be downloaded here.

Call for Election Candidates

This is a special opportunity to be instrumental in shaping the future of our Commons.

The Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators (WPCC) are together a corporate body established by the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act 1871 (the1871 Act). 2021 will be our 150th Anniversary.

The Conservators (Trustees) are responsible for managing the Commons in accordance with the provisions of the 1871 Act. The WPCC is also a registered charity and, therefore, the Conservators are charity trustees responsible for complying with the provisions of the Charities’ Acts.

Under the 1871 Act there are eight Conservators (Trustees), three of whom are appointed by Government Departments, and the other five are elected every three years by those local residents who live in the levy area and are entitled to vote in local government elections. The levy area is within three-quarters of a mile of the boundary of Wimbledon Common or within the old Parish of Putney.  A map of the levy area can be found here.

The next election for Conservators will take place in March 2021. Would you be interested in standing for election?

Why become a Conservator (Trustee)?

Being a Conservator (Trustee) is rewarding and enjoyable.  It is a great way to be involved in the local community, by helping to manage one of south west London’s most important public open spaces. Being a Conservator (Trustee) can expose you to new experiences that can be diverse and interesting. It can present you with new challenges, both constructive and exciting as well as sometimes challenging in balancing conflicting interests and priorities.  You will do so as part of a team of Conservators (Trustees) and the executive and will have the opportunity to contribute your unique skills and experience while learning from others too.

What to do if you wish to explore standing as a Conservator (Trustee)

You need to have a genuine interest in all aspects of the Commons, be prepared to attend regular Board meetings and be committed to ensuring that the Commons remain a natural open space providing an important green lung for South West London. You will also have obligations as a Trustee to the Charity Commission with respect to the charitable objectives of the Commons which are “to preserve the Commons as open spaces for purposes of exercise and recreation and other purposes”.  

To be eligible to stand as a Conservator (Trustee), you must

• live in the levy area;
• be named on your local Council’s most recent Electoral Register;
• be proposed and seconded by two other electors who live in the levy area, and
• meet the legal requirements to become a trustee of a charity.

You can download a Candidate Brief and Application Pack here, or obtain a hard copy from the Ranger's Office (Coronavirus restrictions permitting).  Prospective candidates should also read the Guidance for Candidates contained in Part C of the Election Guidelines and Procedures which can be downloaded here

If you have any questions about the election or how to become a candidate please email election@wpcc.org.uk or call Ms Paula Graystone, the Deputy Clerk and Ranger, on 020 8788 7655.

Key election dates

Election Date

The Board has resolved that the date of the next election will be Wednesday 10 March 2021. This is the date by which completed ballot papers must be received by the Scrutineer.  

Election Guidelines and Procedures

The Board has approved the Election Guidelines and Procedures for the 2021 election which can be downloaded here.

Appointment of Returning Officer and Scrutineer

Mr Nigel Ware, the Home Office appointed Conservator, has been appointed as Returning Officer for the next triennial election to be held in 2021.

Civica Election Services Limited (formerly Electoral Reform Services) has been appointed as Scrutineer.