Becoming a councillor
Have you ever wanted to make a difference in your community? If you would like to contribute to decisions about how local services are provided, and help to improve the quality of life in East Sussex, why not become a councillor?
As a local councillor you will make decisions that touch the lives of everyone who visits, works or lives in East Sussex. It is important that local councils represent the full range of local opinion. East Sussex councils at county, district and borough level, encourage all members of the community to think about becoming a councillor.
What do councillors do?
East Sussex councillors make decisions that affect the whole community, whether they’re considering planning applications or approving budgets for essential services.
Councillors serve for four years and act in the best interests of the whole county, as well as their electoral division. As community leaders, they represent the people of their division and help them with problems they may have with council or other services.
More information about the services provided by councils in East Sussex is available on our page National and local government – who provides your services?
Time requirements and financial support
The amount of time you will need to devote to council work will depend on the extent of your council activities and responsibilities. The minimum is likely to be eight hours a week. However many councillors commit much more time and their positions are like full-time jobs. You will also need to attend meetings that will be during the day or occasionally in the evening.
The law requires your employer to allow you to take a reasonable amount of time off, either paid or unpaid, to perform your duties as a councillor. You should discuss this with your employer before making a commitment.
All councillors receive a basic allowance plus travelling and other expenses. Those with special duties, such as Cabinet members and Committee Chairs may receive additional allowances. These payments vary depending on the role. Allowances for councillors at East Sussex County Council are published in our Scheme of Members' allowances.
Standing for election
To become a councillor you must stand for local election and win. All candidates for local election must be:
- at least 21 years old, and
- a British citizen, or a citizen of another Commonwealth country, the Republic of Ireland or another member state of the European Union.
In addition you must also meet at least one of the following qualifications during the whole of the 12 months before the day you are nominated and on polling day:
- you are registered as a local government elector for the local authority area in which you wish to stand
- you own or are the tenant of any land or premises in the local authority area
- your main or only place of work has been in the local authority area
- you have lived in the local authority area.
You may not stand as a councillor if you:
- are employed by the local authority, hold a paid office (including joint boards or committees) or hold a politically restricted post with another council
- are a bankrupt
- have been sentenced to prison for three months or more (including a suspended sentence) during the five years before election day
- have been disqualified under Part III of the Representation of the People act 1983 or under the Audit Commission Act 1998.
The majority of local councillors belong to a political party. However, you can also stand as an independent councillor.
To stand as a candidate at local elections you need to be nominated and declare that you accept the nomination. More details about local elections are available from The Electoral Commission website.
The next scheduled election for East Sussex County Council will be in May 2009.
Becoming a district or borough councillor
Visit district and borough council websites for details of their forthcoming elections and how to stand for election.
