This page gives information on the role of a Councillor and how to become one.
So, what is a Councillor?
A Councillor is someone who is elected by local people to represent the residents of an area. This can be at parish or district level. When elected, the term of office is four years, unless a Councillor is elected at a by-election. The Councillor will then serve for the remaining period of the term of office.
The Council has developed role profiles for a District Councillor and a Town or Parish Councillor which give an indication of what the roles entail.
All District Councillors currently receive a basic allowance of £6,192 per annum (which is taxable income) with additional payments if they have additional responsibilities such as the Chair of a committee. Travel allowances are also payable in many circumstances. Parish/Town Councillors do not receive a basic or travelling allowance.
Why do people become Councillors?
People become Councillors for a variety of reasons. Some want to "give something back" and, in their view, undertake public service. Others want to further their interest in politics. Many just want to represent local people and try to influence decisions affecting their area.
We are currently producing a document entitled "Be a District Councillor", which gives more detail about becoming one. This will be published here in September.
The Warwickshire Association of Local Councils (WALC) has also produced information that gives details about being a Parish or Town Councillor. This document is in the form of FAQs and is available here.
District and Parish Elections - 4 May 2023
Elections are taking place on Thursday 4 May 2023. They involve Stratford-on-Avon District Council, which will now have 41 Councillors (an increase of 5 following a recent a recent Electoral Review), and all Parish and Town Councils in the area. There are currently 81 Town and Parish Councils. The number of Parish Councillors for each parish varies from five to 18 depending on their population size.
The elections office of Stratford-on-Avon District Council manages all local and national elections in the Stratford area. A Notice of Election will be published at the Council Offices (and in each parish) and on the Council's website telling you where and when to apply to be a candidate. For May elections the notice will usually be put up in the middle of March.
To become a candidate you must:
- ask the elections office for a nomination pack after the Notice of Election has been published - this will contain all the information you need for the election and the forms to complete;
- find 10 electors in your ward to sign your nomination form if you wish to be a candidate for Stratford-on-Avon District Council (one has to propose you and another has to second you); or
- find two electors in your parish to sign your nomination form for a Parish or Town Council.
Political parties
You don't need to be a member of a political party to be a Councillor. Anyone can stand as an independent candidate. In Parish and Town councils it is rare for candidates to stand as party candidates. For District Councils, most Councillors stand as party candidates (but you do not have to). To stand as a party candidate you must have a certificate from the political party nominating officer confirming that you are their candidate.
Contact details for local political parties are:
Conservative Party - Edward Fitter - manager@stratfordconservatives.co.uk
Labour Party - Alistair Nealon - secretary@stratfordlabour.org.uk
Liberal Democrats - Richard Vos - stratforduponavonlibdems@gmail.com
Green Party - Duncan Parker - duncan.parker@hayment.com
Helping local democracy
By standing for election and letting electors know who you are and what you stand for, you are helping local democracy by giving voters a choice. If you get elected, you will know that you have the support of people who voted for you. However, it should be noted that, if elected, you represent all people in your area, even though some may not have voted for you.
What to do next?
If you are thinking of standing as a political party representative, you must contact the local branch of that party as soon as possible as they may be in the process of selecting candidates. If you are standing as an independent, you do not have to do anything until nearer the time when the Notice of Election is published.
Prospective Councillors' Events
District Council
A Prospective Councillor Event for District Councillors will take place at 6pm on Monday 7th November 2022 in the Council Chamber at the Stratford-on-Avon District Council Offices. You are welcome to attend. If you want any further details, please email David Dalby, Interim Electoral Services Manager, at david.dalby@stratford-dc.gov.uk or call him on 01789 260228.
Parish Councils
Prospective Councillor Events are being organised for those who are considering being Parish Councillors. These events are free and open to any member of the public considering standing for election as a Parish Councillor. It will be explained how to become a Councillor; what is expected of you and why it can be very rewarding.
Details of the briefings will be publicised here in late 2022 / early 2023.
