Becoming a Councillor
Becoming a Councillor is a rewarding and valued form of public service. Councillors (or Members as they are often known) are all volunteers and have to balance the needs and interests of their parishioners.
How does it work?
Parish Councillors represent the views of local residents and they help to make the parish a great place to live and work.
Councillors attend full council meetings on the second Tuesday of a month, where decisions are democratically agreed through discussion and voting. Occasionally there may be a conflict of interest requiring sensitive judgement, and the need to take difficult decisions in an open, honest and reasoned way. Individual Parish Councillors cannot make decisions on behalf of the Council, but they can actively lead and engage with local projects.
The Parish Council as a whole must always be transparent and accountable for its actions. It has many legal powers to act and spend money for the benefit of the parish, essentially local matters such as looking after open spaces, allotments, cemetery, bus shelters, street lighting and much more!
Want to join us?
You could be the fresh new talent that Boughton under Blean Parish Council is looking for!
The usual route to becoming a Councillor is through election as part of the Ordinary election process, on the first Thursday in May every four years. The next Boughton under Blean Parish Council Ordinary election will be on 6th May 2027.
To stand for election to join the Parish Council you must be nominated and seconded by two eligible electors from the parish. Alternatively, if a Councillor resigns mid-term, there would be what is legally known as a “casual vacancy” A casual vacancy may then be filled through a by-election or putting yourself forward for co-option.
It is important that sufficient candidates come forward every four years to hold an Ordinary election so that electors can then exercise their rights to vote. If fewer candidates come forward than there are seats, then candidates will be elected unopposed and you will lose your ability to decide the members of the Council. Remember, your Parish Councillors are the people who are the closest to the community and can represent your interests.
To become a Parish Councillor, you must meet the following criteria:
- for the last 12 months have lived or worked/owned/rented land in the parish or live within 3 miles of the parish boundary
- be either a British or Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a citizen of another Member State of the European Union
- be 18 or over
- be a registered local government elector
Is it for me?
Some Councillors will prefer to work with ideas while others may be very practical. The Parish Council needs members with a wide range of skills and life experiences to work as a team.
You will need to be able to give some time each month to:
- read up on agenda items so you can be prepared and informed at meetings
- attend the monthly council meeting
- attend any committee meetings (for committees you join)
- attend a quarterly Village Hall Trustee meeting (the Parish Council as a corporate body is the Trustee)
- engage with your local community and feed back information to fellow councillors at meetings
Training will be provided to build confidence in your role.
Diversity is encouraged and Councillors from different backgrounds can better represent the whole community by possessing different enthusiasms, skills, attitudes and interests. The council is particularly keen to encourage people from under-represented groups to get involved, such as younger people, those from differing ethnic communities and disabled people. Groups made up of diverse individuals tend to make better informed decisions.
What is the next step?
If you are passionate about making a difference and contributing to the benefit of the local community then why don’t you become a Councillor and have your say? If you don’t want to become a Councillor yourself, perhaps you know someone else in the community who may wish to take on the role?
Please contact and engage with us! To find out even more about becoming a Councillor, please contact the Clerk.
clerk@boughtonunderblean-pc.gov.uk
07740 706189
