Prospective Councillor Briefing
Monday 30 January 2023
The Grange Hall, Coventry Road, Southam, Cv47 1QA
6.30pm to 8.30pm (light buffet from 6.00pm)
Details and registration: www.walc.org.uk/elections-2023
An evening briefing session has been arranged by Stratford District Council and WALC for prospective Councillors. It is open to all members of the public who are interested in becoming a Councillor.
A great line-up of speakers will be explaining all about becoming a Councillor and the rewards that it brings. Included on the panel will be:
- WALC Representative
- Experienced Councillor from the District
- Experienced Clerk from the District
- Monitoring Officer and Electoral Services Manager from Stratford-on-Avon District Council
The session will open with a networking buffet to give attendees an informal opportunity to ask any questions they may have.
The event is Monday 30th January at The Grange Hall, Southam. Pre-registration and the link for this event is here: Prospective Councillor Briefing-Elections 2023 - Warwickshire & West Midlands ALC Ltd. (walc.org.uk)
WHAT DO LOCAL COUNCILS DO?
Your local (parish and town) council has overall responsibility for the wellbeing of your local community. Their work falls into three main categories:
• Delivery of services
• Improve quality of life for residents
• Give communities a democratic voice
Local councils run numerous services, depending on the size of the council. Many you will see day-to-day, but some are less known. These include introducing solar panels, setting up dementia-friendly groups, organising community buses, creating neighbourhood plans, implementing suitable housing, establishing youth projects, managing allotments and open spaces, maintaining footpaths, public seating and litter bins.
BECOMING A LOCAL COUNCILLOR
As a local Councillor you can become a voice for your community and make real change. Local Councillors are the champions of their community who invest time in local projects and issues to the benefit of residents and the neighbourhood.
Local Councillor responsibilities fall into three main categories:
• Decision-making
• Monitoring
• Getting involved locally
Local Councillors attend to local needs of residents, local groups and businesses, make decisions on local services, collaborate with district and borough councils to adhere to local needs, and progress vital projects to invest in the future of the community.
CAN I STAND FOR ELECTION?
To stand for election to a local council you must be:
• A UK or Commonwealth citizen; or be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland; or be a citizen of another Member State of the European Union
• At least 18 years old
• An elector of the local council; or in the past 12 months occupied land or other premises in the area the local council serves (as owner or tenant); or work in the area local council serves (as your principal or only place of work); or live within three miles of the local council boundary.
FIND OUT MORE AT: www.walc.org.uk/information/become-a-councillor