Become a Councillor

What is a councillor?

Slaugham Parish Councillors are elected to represent a local area, known as a ward. Elections take place every four years.

See this link for more detail: Become a Councillor

What does a councillor do?

They have three main roles.

The main role is decision making - this is done at meetings and attending various Parish Council Committees.

They decide what needs to be done, where money should be spent, what services should be delivered and what policies should be implemented.

Councillors make sure that their decisions lead to efficient and effective service by keeping an eye on how well things are working.

They also become involved locally - as such, they have responsibilities towards their residents and any local organisations.

These responsibilities and duties often depend on what the councillor wants to achieve and how much time he or she can give and may include:

a. Going to meetings of local organisations such as residents' associations

b. Going to meetings of bodies affecting the wider community

c. Taking up issues on behalf of members of the public

d. Listening to residents who wish to bring up important issues

e. Meeting with individual residents in their own homes

Visiting your council is the best way to find out what happens there. Look at the "Dates of Meetings" link and find out when our Council's next meeting is.

Members of the public are allowed to be present at all Council meetings with ony a few exceptions..

How much time does it take up?

Obviously the times will vary depending on how involved in local issues they are and what committee duties they have.

Some councillors who spend more time than others, but, being a parish councillor can be an enjoyable way of contributing to your community,

and helping to make it a better place to live and work.

QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A COUNCILLOR

a: over 21,

b: on the electoral register for the council area for which you wish to stand, or have worked in the area for the preceding 12 months,

c: a citizen of the European Union or the Commonwealth,

d: a local government elector of the parish; or a person who has, during the whole of the twelve months before he or she was nominated as a candidate,

occupied land or other premises as owner or tenant in the parish. Or has during the same period, resided in that area or within three miles thereof,

or has during the same period, had his or her principal or only place of work in that area.

You cannot stand for election if you

a: are bankrupt

b:have, within five years before the day of the election, been convicted 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

c: you work for the council you want to become a councillor for.

The Slaugham Parish Council is not party political.

http://www.nalc.gov.uk/becomeacouncillor/index.html