Becoming a Councillor

What is a Councillor?

Councillors are elected to represent an individual geographical unit, ie the parish.  They are elected, generally, by the public every four years.

Councillors have three main components to their work:

  • Decision making - through meetings and attending committees with other elected members, councillors decide which activities to support, where money should be spent, what services should be delivered and what policies should be implemented.
  • Monitoring - Councillors make sure that their decisions lead to efficient and effective services by keeping an eye on how things are working.
  • Getting involved locally - As local representatives, councillors have responsibilities towards the residents and local organisations. 

Who can become a Councillor?

You have to be:

  • a British subject, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union; and
  • on the 'relevant date' (ie on the day on which you are nominated or if there is a poll the date of election) be 18 years of age or over.

and additionally:

  • on the 'relevant day' be a local government elector for the council area for which you want to stand; or
  • have during the whole of the 12 months preceeding that day occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the area; or
  • have during the same period had your principal or only place of work in the area; or
  • during that 12 month period resided in the council area
  • have lived in the council area or within 3 miles of it for the whole of the 12 months preceeding the 'relevant day'

You cannot stand for election if you

  • are subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order;
  • have, within five years before the date of the election, been convicted in the UK of any offence and have had a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of over three months without the option of a fine;
  • you work for the council you want to become a councillor for

For further details read our information pack

THE CURRENT PARISH COUNCIL STAND FOR RE-ELECTION IN MAY 2011.  SEE ELECTIONS 2011 PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION