The documents below are published by the National Association of Local Councils (this is a body that advises all Town and Parish Councils) The two booklets give a great insight into the role and work of a Town/Parish Councillor

• The Good Councillor Guide (PDF, 1.7 Mb)A useful guide for new Councillors explaining the rules and procedures for Local Councils
• It takes All Sorts (PDF, 5.2 Mb)A publication from the National Association of Local Councils explaining the role of a Parish Councillor.

Councillors have three main components to their work:

Decision Making – Through meetings and attending committees, Councillors decide which activities to support, where money should be spent, what services should be delivered and what policies should be implemented.

Monitoring – Councillors make sure that their decisions lead to efficient and effective services by keeping an eye on how well things are working.

Getting involved locally - as local representatives, councillors have responsibilities towards their constituents and local organisations. These responsibilities and duties often depend on what the councillor wants to achieve and how much time is available, and may include:

•Going to meetings of local organisations •Going to meetings of organisations affecting the wider community •Taking up issues on behalf of members of the public •Acting as a signpost for Council Services

Why become a Councillor?

Being a Town Councillor is an enjoyable way of contributing to your community, and helping to make it a better place to live and work.

Will I get paid for being a Councillor?

Councillors do not receive a salary.

Am I qualified?

Yes – most people are. However there are a few rules:

You have to be: •A British subject, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union and be 18 years of age or over •A local government elector for the council area for which you want to stand; or •Have during the whole of the 12 months preceding that day occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the council area; or •Have during that same period had your principal or only place of work in the council area; or •During that 12 month period resided in the council area

You cannot become a Town Councillor if you: •Are subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order •Have, within five years, 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).