Reasons to be a councillor
There are many reasons why people decide to become a local councillor. You might want to stand because:
- You are interested in your local area and want to ensure that your local community is provided with the needed services
- You want to ensure that local community interests are taken into account in the council’s decision making and are committed to representing local people’s views
- You want to be involved in shaping the future of the local community
- You want to make a difference and are concerned about a particular issue in your community
- The role is an extension of what you are already doing as you are active in a political party or trade union, and you see the next step as becoming a councillor
- You want to pursue your political beliefs
- You want to contribute with your business or professional skills
Requirements for standing for election
To stand for election, on the day of nomination, you must be:
- 18 or over
- UK, EU or Commonwealth citizen
- Registered to vote in, or have either worked, lived or owned property in the area for one year
You cannot stand if:
- You are employed by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (including employment within some types of school)
- You hold a politically restricted post for another local authority
- You are bankrupt
- You have served a prison sentence (including suspended sentences) of three months or more within five years prior to the election
- You have been disqualified under any legislation relating to corrupt or illegal practices
- You are subject to the notification requirement of or under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
You do not need any formal qualifications or prior experience. You do need to be willing to attend meetings and read documents such as reports, and be willing to be involved in discussions which can be difficult or sensitive in nature.
Following the publication of a Notice of Election, you will need to complete a nomination pack, which will be available from the Electoral Services Team.
To be validly nominated you will need 2 supporters, who are known as a proposer and seconder.
Your nomination pack must be delivered by hand to a specified location, by the statutory deadline; these details will form part of the Notice of Election.
Allowance
Borough councillors do not receive a salary, but are entitled to a basic allowance, which is currently £9,985 a year. Councillors who agree to take on special responsibilities may be entitled to additional allowances.
Parish councillors do not normally receive allowances.
Time commitment
Most councillors commit an average of 10 to 30 hours per week to their duties. This usually includes preparation for meetings, attending meetings and responding to residents’ queries.
If you work, your employers must allow you to take a reasonable amount of time off work to perform your duties, however this is dependent on the effect of your absence on their business.
Further information about the role and how to stand
A booklet containing all the information you need to decide whether to stand for election is available to download below. Alternatively, you can request a copy to be emailed to you by contacting elections@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
Case studies of former councillors
The number of elected members from diverse backgrounds is growing all the time, with more and more people bringing their experiences of disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and religion into their roles and reflecting the communities they serve.
The Local Government Association has developed a Case Studies webpage, to introduce individuals who have been elected after standing for a variety of reasons. These case studies include a visually impaired councillor, an individual who served on their local Parish Council for several years prior to deciding to stand for the Local Authority, a councillor who is a gay Muslim, and other individuals who have chosen to share their considerations prior to deciding to stand for election.
These case studies can be accessed via the following link: www.local.gov.uk/be-councillor/case-studies