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 twenty-one 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.
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, our English Democrats Branch will have private meetings from time to time and you will have meetings to attend in your ward or division.
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 English Democrat Regional Chairman, 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.
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 stationary.
Get in touch with the English Democrats Regional Chairman or a local English Democrat Party member.
Talk to a sitting councillor in your area, to better understand the work of a councillor and the commitment involved.
Contact the EDP on cllr@eng-dem.org.uk.
Or Telephone Councillor Paul Rogan, 01422 371 125