Becoming a councillor
What do councillors do?
Lancaster Town Hall
Councillors are elected by the community for a four year term, to represent and champion the interests of their local community. Councillors have the opportunity to become involved in local issues and to make a difference to the lives of the local people they represent.
As well as representing the community, councillors participate in the decision making process to form the budget and policy framework of the council. Councillors serve on Committees such as Cabinet, Planning and Highways Regulatory, Overview and Scrutiny and partnership bodies, so it is likely you will attend meetings in your role as councillor. However, becoming an effective councillor requires commitment and hardwork and can make demands on a councillor’s personal and professional lives.
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Could I be a councillor?
Council Chamber
Almost anyone can be a councillor, as long as you
• Are British or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union
• Are 18 years of age or over
• Are registered to vote in the area or if you have lived, worked or owned property in the area for at least 12 months before an election.
You can not stand for election if:
• You work for Lancaster City Council
• You are subject to a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order, or have a criminal conviction involving imprisonment in the previous 5 years
Councillors come from all sorts of different backgrounds including farmers, students, judges, labourers and are a wide range of ages. The greater the mix of people, the more effectively the council can work and reflect the views of the local community.
The main qualifications for being a councillor are that you care for your community, are keen to learn and are willing to spare some time. How much time it takes being a councillor really depends on your role within the council and could be just a few hours a week to several hours each day, although you will be expected to attend some council meetings.
If you work, your employer must by law, allow you to take a reasonable amount of time off during your working day to perform your duties as a councillor. The amount of time off will depend on your responsibilities as a councillor and the effect your absence will have on your employer’s business.
As a councillor you will receive an allowance for the time and expense incurred on council business. Currently, this allowance is £3,300 but there are extra allowances paid to some councillors for the extra work and responsibility they incur. You may also claim care allowances if you pay for childcare or for the care of elderly or disabled dependents, while you are engaged on council business.
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How do I become a councillor?
See our page on standing as a candidate
You can stand for election as an independent candidate or as a group/party candidate.
If you want to represent a political party then the next step would be for you to get involved with your party locally. Contact details of the councillors and their political parties represented on Lancaster City Council are available on this website.
If you would like to stand as a politically independent councillor contact the Local Government Association’s group for politically independent councillors: independent.group@lga.gov.uk, 020 7664 3224.
For further information on becoming a councillor visit www.beacouncillor.org.uk
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