Barnham Parish Council is composed of seven Councillors and a clerk. The Councillors all act in a voluntary capacity and decide issues by majority consensus. Councillors are required to stand for re-election every four years if they wish to remain Councillors. Persons wishing to stand for election as parish Councillors must be nominated by two parishioners at the next election which normally take place at the same time as elections for the unitary authority. When unexpected vacancies occur between elections, candidates can be co-opted on to the parish council. The Chairman is elected by Councillors.