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How could I become a councillor? |
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Candidates standing for election are usually members of a political party and they will advise you about the party selection processes. However, some candidates choose not to belong to a party and are called Independents.
To qualify as a candidate for election to the District Council you must ensure that on the day you are nominated as a candidate you are:
· 18 years of age or over.
· A Commonwealth citizen (which includes a British subject) or a citizen of the Irish Republic or a member state of the European Union.
and that
· You are a local elector.
· Or you have lived, worked or owned a property in the area.
Are there any restrictions to becoming a councillor?
You can be disqualified from holding the office of councillor for:
· Having a conviction for corruption or illegal practices.
· Being convicted within the last five years of an offence with a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for not less than three months without the option of a fine.
· Being an adjudged bankrupt.
There are also restrictions on serving as a Councillor for any council for which you do paid work
hat should I do if I want to stand for election as an independent candidate?
Once a seat for which you are eligible to contest becomes vacant, you should contact the Electoral Registration office at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council to get advice on preparing your nomination papers and information about what else you need to do.
Do You Get Paid for Being a Councillor?
Being a Councillor is not paid employment but a Basic Allowance is payable to all Elected Members and membership of the local government pension scheme is open to them if they want to join.
The allowance is intended to recognise the time commitment demanded from all Councillors as a result of their duties and responsibilities which includes the calls on their time such as meetings with officers and constituents and attendance at political group meetings. It is also intended to provide some compensation for incidental costs such as the use of their homes and private telephones for council business
There are also extra allowances payable to Councillors who take on additional responsibilities- details of these are available from the Electoral Registration Office at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Stand as a Councillor?
You don't need any qualifications to become a Councillor. A commitment to best represent your constituents is the most important qualification. It is recognised that Councillors bring with them a whole range of skills and personal qualities that they have developed through their work and personal experiences. They get to apply these in many ways along with the chance to develop new skills and expertise
Following their election all Councillors are offered a comprehensive Induction Package to help them develop their knowledge about how the council works and their role as a Councillor. Throughout their term of office there is they can take up a range of training opportunities, some deigned specifically to support their role as Councillor and some to help them develop their knowledge about the issues they are dealing with. Training is provided by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and organisations that provide training for Councillors regionally and nationally. There is also support and training available from the political parties for their members.
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