What do Parish Councils/Councillors do?
Parish councils form the most local level of government and are responsible for delivering local services. Parish councillors make decisions about policies and services, keep an eye on how well things are working and represent local residents.
How do I become a Parish Councillor?
There will be elections to Badby Parish Council on 6th May 2021. See below to find out if you are eligible to stand for election and how you can apply.
What’s in it for me and my community?
You should consider becoming a parish or town councillor if:
- You want to do something positive for your community
- You want to spend your time productively
- You can think, listen and act locally
What does my Parish Council do?
Badby Parish Council has overall responsibility for the well-being of your local neighbourhood. Its work falls into three main categories:
- representing the local community
- delivering services to meet local needs
- striving to improve quality of life in the parish
Badby Parish Council provides, maintains or contributes to the following services:
- Greens and open spaces
- Footpaths
- Planning
- Allotments
- Sports facilities
- Leisure facilities
- Keeping the village tidy
- Bus shelters
- Litter bins
- Traffic calming
It also works with the larger councils in the area called ‘principal authorities’ (e.g. Daventry District Council and NCC currently, soon to become one unitary West Northamptonshire authority) to ensure the effective delivery of services to the local community.
What councillors do
Parish councillors are elected to represent the parish as a whole. They are elected by people who live in the parish. Most parish council elections are on the same cycle as the principal authorities, with elections every four years.
Councillors have three main areas of work:
- Decision-making: through attending meetings and committees with other elected members, councillors decide which activities to support, where money should be spent, what services should be delivered and what policies should be implemented.
- Monitoring: councillors make sure that their decisions lead to efficient and effective services by keeping an eye on how well things are working.
- Getting involved locally: as local representatives, councillors have responsibilities towards their constituents and local organisations. This often depends on what they want to achieve and how much time they have available.
The day-to-day work of a parish councillor may include:
- going to meetings of local organisations
- going to meetings of bodies that affect the wider community, such as the police or the Highways Authority
- taking up issues on behalf of members of the public, such as making representations to the principal authority
Why should I become a councillor?
As a councillor you can become a voice for your community and effect real change. Councillors are community leaders and represent the aspirations of the public that they serve. Parish, town, community and neighbourhood councillors are the most local part of our democratic system and are closest to the public. By standing for your parish council you could make a real difference to your local neighbourhood.
Can I become a parish councillor?
Most people can stand for election, however there are a few rules. You have to be:
- a British citizen, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union, and
- 18 years or older on the day you become nominated for election
You cannot stand for election if you:
- are the subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order
- have, within five years before the day of the election, been convicted in the United Kingdom of any offence and have had a prison sentence (whether suspended or not) for a period of over three months without the option of a fine
Which parish council can I stand for?
You can become a parish councillor for any parish in which you are in the list of electors, or, during the whole of the preceding twelve months, you
- occupied land as owner or tenant in it, or
- had a principal place of work there, or
- resided in or within three miles of it
How much time will I need to spend?
Badby Parish Council generally meets once a month, on the second Monday, at 7.30 pm. Normally meetings take place in the Village Hall, but owing to coronavirus restrictions they are currently online using Zoom. In the main, being a local councillor is an enjoyable way of contributing to your community and helping to make it a better place to live and work.
It is possible to spend quite a lot of time on council work – but everyone appreciates that most people have jobs, families and hobbies that also demand a lot of time. As with most things, the more you put in, the more you (and your community) will get out.
How do I become a councillor?
To stand for election, you can
- contact the parish council directly, or
- contact the Returning Officer at Daventry District Council
Nomination
A prospective candidate must deliver to the Returning Officer for the election a valid nomination paper. This form is available from the parish council clerk on tel. 07717 337048 or email clerk@badby-pc.gov.uk or from the Electoral Commission (see web address below).
The candidate’s surname, forenames, residence and description (if required) must be entered and his or her number and prefix letter from the current register of electors. The Returning Officer has a copy of this register, as does the parish council clerk. The nomination paper must also contain similar particulars of a proposer and a seconder. They must be electors for the area for which the candidate seeks election, and they must sign it.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What title will I have?
An elected member of a parish council is called a councillor, abbreviated to Cllr. Conventionally you will be known as, for example, “Cllr. Bob Smith” or “Cllr. Mrs Jane Smith”. You can use your title whenever you act, or wish to give the impression of acting, for the parish council.
What happens if I stand but am not elected?
As in any contested democratic process there is a risk of not winning. If the number of persons nominated is less than or equal to the number of places available, then the election is uncontested and you are automatically elected. If there are more candidates than places and you don’t win enough votes on Election Day, then you will have lost the election. Some people may feel awkward about this, particularly as the people voting are quite often your friends, neighbours and community associates, however there is no shame in losing a contested election – it’s part and parcel of public life and there will be other opportunities to get on to the council, either at the next election or if a vacancy crops up. Don’t let the fear of losing stop you from putting yourself forward. Just think of what you could achieve if you knew you couldn’t fail!
What support is there for newly elected councillors?
Being a councillor is a respected and valued role in a community. There is lots of support available, including training and development courses run by the local County Association of Local Council (NCALC). Councillors normally in the first instance seek assistance from fellow councillors, the Chairman or the Clerk.
Can I get out of it if it’s not for me?
Yes. You can withdraw your nomination if you decide before the election that you don’t want to go through with it (deadline for withdrawal is 4pm on Thursday 8 April 2021). If you are elected and decide subsequently that council life is not for you then you are free to resign at any time. However, be warned that when you start to make a real difference to community life and see the benefits that being a councillor can bring to you and your community, it may just suck you in for life!
Am I personally liable for anything as a councillor?
Generally speaking, no. The council is a corporate body, which means that in law it has an identity separate to that of its members. Anything that the council decides to do by resolution is the action of the corporate body and any land, property, leases and other contracts are in the name of the council. The exception would be in extreme cases of negligence where an individual councillor has acted contrary to council policy, which may lead to personal liability.
Will my employer support me if I need time off for council business in work time?
Yes. You are allowed reasonable time off to go to meetings or to carry out your duties. The time must be agreed with your employer beforehand and your employer can refuse your request if it is unreasonable. A specific amount of time off is not laid down in law. Your employer doesn’t have to pay you while you take time off for public duties, although many do. Your employment contract will normally say whether you are paid for this time off.
Does it take up a lot of time?
It can, but it doesn’t have to. You will be required to attend meetings of the full council (normally monthly) which are around 2 hours long, and you should be well-prepared for meetings and preparation can involve some background reading of reports, etc.