Why become a Parish Councillor?
Councillors play a key role in the life of a Parish Council – they are a vital cog in making life better for its residents. They are the voice of the community representing local people. All the seats on the Parish Council are up for election every 4 Years giving you the perfect opportunity to get involved by standing as a representative of your community.
By becoming a parish councillor, you become someone your community will look to for help, guidance and support a community leader with the power to influence decisions for the benefit of the people you serve.
Seeing your community change for the better, because of decisions you have helped make, is something that can give you a sense of achievement and pride.
How much time does it take up?
The Parish Council meets once a month for the council meeting, to which members of the public are also invited. Meetings may last two or three hours, depending on the agenda set for the meeting to discuss. In addition to the regular meetings, councillors will be required to attend other meetings representing the council, for example acting as a representative on an outside body, community activities or helping develop a new project for the community.
Councillors are expected to attend the regular monthly meetings and any additional meetings as may be arranged and to represent the electors of Great Gransden in raising and discussing those issues of interest and concern on which the Parish Council is empowered to act.
How long does a parish councillor serve for?
Once elected, parish councillors sit on the council for a maximum of four years. If they then want to stay in the post, they can stand for re-election.
Am I eligible to be a Parish Councillor?
You have to be:
- a British subject, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union; and,
- over 18 years of age
and additionally, you must satisfy at least one of the following:
- be a registered local government elector for the council area for which you want to stand;
- have during the whole of the 12 months occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the council area or within 3 miles of it for the whole period;
- have during that same period had your principal or only place of work in the council area or within 3 miles of it for the whole period.
You cannot stand for election if you:
- are subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order.
- have, within five years before the day of the election, been convicted in the United Kingdom 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 (but you can work for other local authorities, including the principal authorities that represent the same area).
You don’t have to be connected to a political party as this council is not political.
What’s Next?
If you do become a parish councillor, you will have to sign up to the Code of Conduct.
The best way to find out what it’s like to be a parish councillor is to talk to someone who’s doing it now. Come along to a parish council meeting or speak to one of our councillors and find out what they think of the job.