Becoming a Councillor is both a rewarding and privileged form of public service. Councillors are in a position to make a difference to the quality of other people's daily lives and prospects. However, being an effective Councillor requires commitment and hard work.
Everyday, Councillors have to balance the needs and interests of residents, their political group (if appropriate) and the Council. These will all make legitimate demands on a Councillor's time, on top of the demands and needs of a Councillor's personal and professional lives.
Before you consider standing to become a Councillor you should discuss this with your family and friends to ensure that they understand that you will need support and understanding. You may be spending a lot of your spare time on Council business.
Why should I stand as a candidate to become a Councillor?
There are many reasons why people decide to stand for election to become a local Councillor. Some of the reasons include:
- Wanting to make a difference and be involved in shaping the future of the local community;
- Being concerned about the area in which they live and wanting to ensure that their local community gets the services needed;
- Wanting to represent the views of local people and ensure that local community interests are taken into account;
- Wanting to pursue political beliefs;
- To contribute business or professional skills;
- Concerns about one political issue, for example, care of older people, the lack of facilities in an area, or traffic congestion.
For some it is an extension of what they are already doing. It might be that someone is already active in a political party, trade union, charity, voluntary group or school governing body, and see standing to become a councillor as the next step.
What support is available to Councillors?
Darlington Borough Council's Democratic Services Section provide support and assistance to all councillors, regardless of which political party or group they belong to.
Council officers will support newly elected Councillors through a comprehensive induction programme. There is also an excellent on-going programme of training and development to enable Councillors to fulfil their role as a community representative and leader.
As a Councillor, you will be provided with all the equipment you need to fulfil the role, and the Council encourages all Councillors to use electronic communication. You will be provided with a computer or laptop and appropriate training. As far as possible, day-to-day communication with Members of the Council will be by e-mail and each Member will be given their own individual e-mail address.
What are the requirements for standing for election?
You can become a Councillor if you:
- are 18 or over on the day of nomination;
- are a British, Irish Republic, Commonwealth or other EU Citizen;
- have had property or work connections in the Darlington Borough Council area for the whole of the 12 months before the date of nomination;
- are on the electoral register for the area.
All the requirements for standing for election as a Councillor are set out in the Local Government Act 1972. You will need to refer to this to make sure that you qualify. Additionally, people holding certain politically restricted posts in a local authority are disqualified from election to, and membership of, a local authority.
Disqualifications
A person is disqualified from standing for election if he/she:
- is employed by, or holds a paid office, under the local authority;
- has been adjudged bankrupt;
- has been convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to not less than three months imprisonment (including any suspended sentence) within the past five years;
- has been disqualified from holding office by order of an election court;
- has been disqualified following a decision of the Adjudication Panel for England.
The full range of disqualifications for candidates at local elections is complex and Candidates are strongly advised to consult the relevant legislation to ensure that none of the disqualifications apply, and if in doubt, to seek legal advice.
How do I stand as a candidate to become a Councillor?
There are two basic options - you can stand for election as an independent candidate, or as a political group / party candidate.
The local political groups are always looking for people interested in representing them. Don't worry if you are not already a member of a party, as the political groups will be able to go through all the options with you. Some have special training and encouragement programmes for new people. If you are interested in representing a specific political group, the next step would be for you to get more involved with your chosen group locally. By getting involved you will find out more about what the role entails, who you will be working with, and more about local politics. Ultimately it is up to the political party's local group to decide whether to select you as a candidate, so you need to contact them as soon as possible and get involved with their work locally.
If you wish to make contact with one of the political groups in Darlington, or you wish to stand as an independent candidate, and are unsure about how to do this, please contact us and we will be able to help.
Either way, you should be clear about your views on local issues and expect to be questioned about what makes you different from other candidates. Make sure you know about the council's performance and plans for the future, as you will probably be asked about this.
Can I be a Councillor and have a job?
Yes. By law, if you are working your employer must allow you to take a reasonable amount of time off during working hours to perform your duties as a Councillor. The amount of time off will depend on your responsibilities and the effect of your absence on your employers business. You should discuss this with your employer before making any commitment to standing as a candidate.
Will I get paid for being a Councillor?
Councillors do not receive a salary, however are paid a Members' Allowance to reimburse them for time and expenses incurred while on council business. Each council sets its own rate of members' allowance.
Nominations
A candidate’s nomination pack will be available before every election, when the Notice of Election is published. You can receive a pack by contacting us on 01325 388351, or email elections@darlington.gov.uk
Useful links
Electoral Commission Website [external link]
National Association of Local Councils [external link]