Town Council Elections 2011
Why become a Town Counillor
What is in it for me and my community?
How to become a Town Councillor
You should consider becoming a 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
The Role
Town councillors have overall responsibility for the local community.
The work falls into 3 main categories:
- Delivering services and facilities to meet local needs
- Striving to improve quality of life within the town
- Representing your neighbourhood
Being a councillor is an unpaid position.
What is a Parish/Town Council?
It is made up of a number of elected and co-opted Councillors who meet regularly to make decisions on the work and direction of the council.
Councillors are elected by the public at an ordinary election, normally held on the first Thursday in May every four years.
Sawbridgeworth Town Council provides, maintains or contributes to the following services:
- allotments
- bus shelters
- community centres
- community safety schemes
- community transport schemes
- crime reduction measures
- farmers market
- festivals and celebrations
- footpaths
- leisure facilities
- litter bins
- local illuminations
- local youth projects
- parks and open spaces
- planning
- street cleaning
- tourism activities
- town cemetery
it also works with larger councils in the area called ‘principal authorities’ and cooperates to ensure the effective delivery of services to the local community.
Effort Required
TIME – It is possible to spend a lot of time on council work – but most people have jobs, families and hobbies that also demand a lot of time. However, as with most things, the more you put in, the more you (and your community) will get out.
Generally speaking, the larger the community the larger the workload will be. The times of the meetings vary, as do the venues. The council normally meets in the evening. It is IMPORTANT to establish the pattern of meetings and venues to make sure they can accommodate your domestic and/or business arrangements. The council meets once a month and also has committees, in which case you would probably be invited to sit on one. These usually meet in
between the meetings of the full council.
COST – Being a councillor should cost you little. There is usually cover for subsistence and travel allowances if your duties take you out of your local council’s area. These allowances will be determined
by the council, and will be within a maximum laid down by the Government.
Why should I become a councillor?
As a councillor you can become a voice for your community and affect real change. Councillors are community leaders and represent the aspirations of the public that they serve. Parish and Town 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.
What councillors do?
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 the councillor wants to achieve and how much
time is available
The day-to-day work of a town councillor may include:
- attending meetings of local organisations and groups
- attending meetings of bodies that affect the wider community, such as the police, the Highways Authority, schools and colleges
- taking up issues on behalf of members of the public that effect your local area
- running a surgery for residents to bring up issues
- communicating with individual residents
Who would you represent?
Town councillors are elected to represent a geographical area known as a ward which in our case is the town council area as a whole. They are elected by people who live in the area.
Parish elections are held every 4 years, our next election is due on Thursday 05 May 2011.
Nomination process
A prospective candidate must obtain and return a completed nomination paper to the Returning Officer of your District or Borough Council for the election. The candidate’s surname, forenames and residence must be entered
with the number and prefix letter from the current register of electors. A copy of this register can be obtained from the Returning Officer or the Clerk to the Council. The nomination paper must also be signed by and contain similar
particulars of a proposer and a seconder. These must be electors for the area for which the candidate seeks election.
Election Timetable (Draft)
Ordinary elections usually coincide with the election year of the District Council and must be held on the same day. The interval between elections is 4 years and therefore your term of office would normally be 4 years. The full
timetable for the 2011 local elections is below. If you decide to stand for election you must submit your nomination by noon on Monday 4 April 2011.
Publication of Notice of Election -Friday 25 March 2011
Receipt of Nominations noon -Monday 4 April 2011
Publication of Statements of Persons Nominated -noon Wednesday 6 April 2011
Withdrawal of Candidate -noon Thursday 7 April 2011
Last Date for Registration -Thursday 14 April 2011
Receipt of Postal Vote Applications -5:00 pm Thursday 14 April 2011
Publication of Notice of Poll -Monday 25 April 2011
Receipt of Proxy Vote Applications -5:00 pm Monday 25 April 2011
Appointment of Poll and Count Agents -Tuesday 26 April 2011
First Day to Issue Replacement Lost Postal Ballot Papers -Wednesday 27 April 2011
Receipt of Emergency Proxy Vote Applications -5:00 pm Thursday 5 May 2011
Last Day to Issue Replacement Spoilt or Lost Postal Ballot Papers -5:00 pm Thursday 5 May 2011
Day of Poll -7:00 am to 10:00 pm 5 May 2011
Declaration of Candidates Expenses Thursday 2 June 2011