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Could you
become a Councillor?
Becoming
a councillor is a most rewarding experience. It gives you the
opportunity to help your local community and be part of a dedicated team
providing key services for your area.
Being a councillor is a great way to gain political experience and
useful skills in public speaking, debating and problem solving.
New councillors are good news. They mean fresh ideas and fresh
enthusiasm, and that is good news for your council.
To be eligible you must be:
- A British subject or a citizen of the Irish Republic or the EU and
resident in the UK.
- At least 18 years old on the day you are nominated.
- Either on the electoral register for the council area in which you are
seeking election, or have lived or worked in that council area for at
least the last twelve months.
Do I have the time?
It is possible to spend much of your time on council work but the vast
majority of councillors have full time jobs, families and hobbies.
Unless you take on responsibility as a Cabinet member or a Chairman or
Vice-Chairman of a committee, your work at the Town Hall should not
involve more than a few meetings a month (although this depends on the
number of committees/panels you serve on).
In addition to this, the Conservative Group will have private meetings
from time to time and you will have meetings to attend in your ward or
division.
How much do I need to know?
You are not going to be expected to take direct responsibility for
running the council on the first day you are elected. The main
qualifications are an interest in your community and a willingness to
learn. Knowledge, experience and confidence will soon follow.
You will receive support from your local Conservative Association, your
council colleagues and the Party. Most local authorities provide
training and IT support. Council officers are there to help you, they
are professionally trained staff who are employed to carry out the
lawful functions and duties of a council. Many council groups employ a
political assistant or researcher.
Can I afford it?
Councils pay a basic allowance that varies depending on the type and
size of the council.
Councils may also pay some telephone and computer charges and provide
you with the necessary stationery.
What should I do if I am interested?
Get in touch with us using the form below.
Talk to a sitting Conservative councillor in your area, to better
understand the work of a councillor and the commitment involved.
Conservative Councillors’ Association
The Conservative Councillors’ Association offers training to councillors
and produces 'A Guide to Becoming a Conservative Councillor'.
Before you are elected you can become an Associate member of this
organisation and benefit from weekly email briefings, our quarterly
magazine, free training events and subsidised rates at our Conferences.
To join now please call Rachel Peart on 020 7984 8144 or
cca@conservatives.com
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