Conservators' Election 2024
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).
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 viewed here: Levy area map.
The next election for Conservators will take place in March 2024.
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.
Application Documents
You can download the following documents from the links below:
- Candidate Brief and Application Pack in pdf format
- Application form in writeable pdf format so that you can type in the relevant information
- Nomination form for completion by your proposer and seconder, in writeable pdf format so that they can type in the relevant information
You can also collect a hard copy of the Candidate Brief and Application Pack from the Ranger’s Office.
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Meetings for prospective candidatesThe Returning Officer, the Chief Executive and other senior staff, will be holding meetings for prospective candidates (other than incumbent Conservators) as follows:
If you wish to attend one of these meetings, please advise the Deputy Clerk and Ranger by email at election@wpcc.org.uk Prospective candidates who are unable to attend either of these physical meetings can apply to attend an online meeting to be held on 11 January 2024 at 7.00 pm via Zoom. |
Questions?
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
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Issue of formal statutory notice regarding the election |
4 December 2023 | |
| List of electors available for public inspection at Manor Cottage | 27 December 2023 to 16 January 2024 | ||
| Meetings for prospective candidates with Returning Officer and Chief Executive | 4 and 8 January 2024 | ||
| Last date for receipt of claims and objections to list of electors | 17 January 2024 | ||
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Last date for receipt of candidate application packs from candidates who wish to have their names and biographical details included in the ballot papers |
24 January 2024 | ||
| Ballot papers to be dispatched to electors by Scrutineer | By 9 February 2024 | ||
| Latest time by which completed ballot papers must be received by Scrutineer (either electronically or physically) | 5.00 p.m. on Wednesday 6 March 2024 | ||
| Result of election announced | 8 March 2024 |
Section 20 of the 1871 Act, which permits a candidate to submit an application up to fourteen clear days before the date of the election, is still in force. However, as that date is later than the latest date for the submission of candidate application packs, the name of any candidate submitting an application after 24 January 2024 will not be included on the printed ballot papers. Therefore, it is recommended that all prospective candidates submit their application packs no later than 24 January 2024.
Date of election
The Board has resolved that the date of the next election will be Wednesday 6 March 2024. This is the date by which completed ballot papers must be received by the Scrutineer.
Appointment of Returning Office and Scrutineer
Mr Nigel Ware, the Home Office appointed Conservator, has been appointed as Returning Officer and Civica Election Services Limited has been appointed as Scrutineer.
Election Guidelines and Procedures
The Board has approved the Election Guidelines and Procedures for the 2024 election which can be downloaded here: Election Guidelines and Procedures