Local (parish and town) councils and councillors make a massive difference to local people’s quality of life. They are passionate about their communities and seek to make a change to help improve their residents’ lives.
Local councils run numerous services, depending on the size of the council. Many you will see day-to-day, but some are less known. These include introducing solar panels, setting up dementia-friendly groups, organising community buses, creating neighbourhood plans, implementing suitable housing, establishing youth projects, managing allotments and open spaces, maintaining footpaths, public seating and litter bins.
Councillors are elected to represent the local community, so you must either live or work in the council area. Becoming a councillor is a rewarding experience as you will be able to make a change in your community to help improve residents’ lives. A councillor’s role can include developing strategies and plans for the area, helping with problems and ideas, representing the community, working with other local community groups, decision making and reviewing decisions and talking to the community about their needs and what the council is doing. Find out more from the national Make A Change campaign
How Much Time Does It Take Up?
Councils generally meet once a month for the council meeting, to which members of the public are also invited. In Snitterfield, we meet on the second Monday evening of every month except in August. Meetings last from 1 to 2 hours, depending on what’s on the agenda. We also have Committees and working groups.
In addition to regular meetings, Councillors are required to spare time for ‘ad hoc’ meetings – for example for site visits to discuss planning applications or to meet contractors on maintenance issues.
Outside of meetings, Councillors undertake other duties such as checking street lights, inspecting play areas, visiting residents etc.
How Long Does a Parish Councillor Serve For?
Once elected or co-opted, Parish Councillors sit on the council for a maximum of four years or until the term of the Parish Council has ended. If they then want to stay in the post, they can stand for re-election.
It doesn’t mean that you have to stay for four years, if you find it’s not for you or you can no longer meet the commitment you can stand down.
Am I Eligible to Be a Parish Councillor?
To stand for election on a parish council, you must:
- be a UK or Commonwealth citizen, or;
- be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or;
- be a citizen of another Member state of the European Union;
- be at least 18 years old.
To be eligible to stand for an election for a particular parish, you must:
- be an elector of the parish, or;
- for the whole of the previous 12 months have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish, or;
- during the previous 12 months have worked in the parish (as your principal or only place of work), or;
- for the whole of the previous 12 months lived in the parish or within three miles of the parish boundary.
If you do become a Parish Councillor you will have to sign up to the Code of Conduct. Civility and respect is expected.
Will I Get Any Training?
Councillor and Clerk training is offered by Warwickshire & West Midlands Association of Local Councils (WALC) who provide training, support and advice to 180+ member town and parish councils across the area.
Don’t Take Our Word for It!
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. Go along to a Parish Council meeting, speak to one of the Councillors and find out what they think of the job.
Interested?
If you want to become a Parish Councillor in Snitterfield, please contact the Parish Clerk on snitterfieldpc@outlook.com for further information.
