Parish Council Elections
31 parish councils have scheduled elections in May 2026.
We will be holding an online briefing via Microsoft Teams for Parish Clerks with scheduled elections, and anyone interested in standing as a parish candidate, on Thursday 29 January at 5pm. Parish clerks will be contacted directly with joining details, if you are considering standing as a parish candidate and would like to attend the briefing, please email the Democratic and Elections team to request the link.
Further information on the role of parish councillors is available from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) website.
The Electoral Commission have produced detailed guidance for candidates at parish elections, as well as advice and guidance regarding the rules for imprints on election material.
The parishes with scheduled elections, and the number of seats they have, are as follows:
| Parish Council | Number of seats |
|---|---|
| Barford St John & St Michael | 7 |
| Bletchingdon | 7 |
| Bloxham | 12 |
| Broughton | 5 |
| Charlton-on-Otmoor | 7 |
| Deddington | 14 |
| Duns Tew | 7 |
| Epwell | 5 |
| Fencott & Murcott | 5 |
| Finmere | 7 |
| Fringford | 7 |
| Hethe | 7 |
| Horley | 7 |
| Hornton | 7 |
| Horton-cum-Studley | 7 |
| Islip | 7 |
| Kirtlington | 7 |
| Merton | 7 |
| Milcombe | 7 |
| North Newington | 5 |
| Shenington with Alkerton | 5 |
| Shipton-on-Cherwell & Thrupp | 6 |
| Shutford | 7 |
| Sibford Ferris | 5 |
| Sibford Gower | 5 |
| Steeple Aston | 7 |
| Stratton Audley | 7 |
| Swalcliffe | 7 |
| Tadmarton | 6 |
| Weston-on-the-Green | 8 |
| Wroxton | 7 |