Becoming a Havant Borough Councillor
The local community needs local Councillors to
represent them and speak on their behalf. Would you be interested
in standing for election and playing a role in the services
provided by Havant Borough Council?
Councillors fulfil many different roles
including local policy maker, community leader, facilitator,
decision-maker and local representative.
In three years out of every four year period
the council holds local elections to elect representatives known as
councillors. Each councillor represents an area known as a ward,
but also has responsibilities for the whole of Havant and is
normally elected for a four year term of office.
As a councillor you would be involved in
complex decision-making, leading the council within the community
and ensuring quality and value-for-money services. The
decision-making process is carried out by a number of committees
and boards, some of which you would be appointed to. These
committees and boards not only make decisions but also question and
shape policy and future decisions.
Councillors come from all walks of life and
should be representative of the whole community. The borough
currently has councillors who are employed, self-employed and
retired.
Under the Electoral Administration Act 2006,
the minimum age requirement to become a councillor is 18 years of
age; there is no maximum age limit. You must be a British,
Commonwealth or European citizen and need to be a local elector or
have lived, worked, owned or rented property in the borough for at
least one year. You will also need the support of 10 local
government electors from within the borough to complete your
nomination papers.
People stand for election for many different
reasons, including:
- To speak on behalf of the local community
- To help local people
- To pursue political beliefs or ambitions
- To contribute business and professional skills
- To help shape the future of their community
- To help improve the quality of life in their area
- To champion causes close to their heart.
There are four main areas of work when elected
as a councillor:
Representing the People in your Area
People will come to you with problems and ask
for your assistance, e.g. a contentious planning application or
problems with noisy neighbours. Groups and organisations will also
expect your help, e.g. seeking your support for financial aid for a
new sports initiative. You will need to represent all the people in
your ward, whether they voted for you or not and regardless of
whether you support their views.
Political Accountability
You will vote on issues and help shape the
council’s activities: for instance, setting the level of Council
Tax and determining planning applications. Electors will monitor
your activity and see that you are honouring any commitments given
in your election manifesto. It is not a requirement to have a
manifesto, but most candidates do, to let electors know what they
would be voting for. As a result you will often need to explain why
the council has taken a certain course of action. This is
known as political accountability.
Community Leadership
The government is keen to encourage all
councillors to take on the role of community leader. This involves
working with all groups and organisations both in your area and the
wider borough such as the police and health services, to ensure
that local efforts to improve the well-being of the people in the
Borough of Havant are co-ordinated and effective.
Representing the Council
You may also be selected by the council to
represent it on organisations such as trusts, voluntary groups, the
Citizen’s Advice Bureau and other local bodies.
Havant Borough Council makes some 70 such
appointments each year.
Time Commitment
This will largely depend on your own
ambitions. Holding special responsibility such as chairing a
committee or board, or even being responsible for a portfolio area
such as Planning and Development, will significantly increase the
amount of time you spend on council business.
Special responsibility aside, you will be
required to attend regular meetings of the committees and boards of
which you would be a member. You will receive a large volume of
paperwork to read on issues to be discussed at forthcoming meetings
which may take a few hours to read per week. This background
preparation ensures you can make meaningful contributions to the
decisions you are expected to participate in making.
As a councillor you are likely to have to deal
with constituents’ queries at home. This can involve contact with
services at the council and/or other local organisations and will
require you to be highly organised.
Political Groups
Councillors do not have to be identified with
a political group or party, although, in practice, most are. The
decision you make in this regard is entirely at your discretion. If
you wish to stand as an Independent, or indeed any other
description which is not political, you may submit your nomination
papers direct to the Returning Officer. However, if you wish to
stand under any form of political group, please contact a
representative of the appropriate organisation.
Your Employment Commitments
People in employment may be entitled to some
time off under the Employment Rights Act 1996. This is a matter
best discussed with your employer before you decide to stand for
election.
FAQ’s
Do I get paid for being a
councillor?
There is no “salary” but you will receive an
annual allowance to cover sundry out-of-pocket expenses.
What undertakings will I have to agree
to/sign?
On becoming a councillor you will be required
to sign the Acceptance of Office which includes an undertaking that
you will abide by the Code of Conduct expected of council members
and will undertake appropriate training. You will also have to
complete a Register of Interests which includes financial and
personal interests.
I am interested, but know nothing about
being a councillor.
The council has a continuous Member Training
Programme to assist elected members in attaining skills and
expertise. Training can be directly focused to address individual
need (eg IT issues) or can be targeted at new duties such as
alcohol and gambling licensing. Specialist training in the field of
Planning is always provided.
When and where do meetings take
place?
Nearly all of the council’s meetings take
place at the Public Service Plaza in Havant. The
Development Management Committee has a Site Viewing Working Party
which travels around the borough by coach. The majority of meetings
are held at 5.00pm.
Of course you are welcome to come and observe
the proceedings of any of the council’s meetings that are open to
the public to help you understand the potential responsibilities
and duties of the role of a councillor.
What about day-to-day support?
The officers of Havant Borough Council are
committed to helping you fulfil your duties as a councillor. There
is a healthy relationship between councillors and officers which is
based on mutual respect and co-operation. There will always be
someone who is able to offer advice or support on any issue. All
you need to do is ask.
The Democratic Services Team acts as a first
point of contact to assist you with any queries. There are various
facilities available for member use, together with a library of
local government information, national guidance and magazines on
public life. Stationery is provided.
I want to stand for election, what do I do
now?
The formal election process for 2012 will
begin with the publication of the Notice of Election in March 2012.
From the date of the publication of that notice you will be able to
submit nomination papers to formally register your intention to
stand for election.
Nomination papers will be available from March
2012 from:
The Returning Officer
Electoral Services Office
Havant Borough Council
Public Service Plaza
Civic Centre Road
HAVANT
PO9 2AX
Email: elections.office@havant.gov.uk
If you would like any further information
about becoming a councillor or the work of the council, please
contact:
Lee Abraham, Democratic Services Team Leader,
on 023 89244 6230.
Email: lee.abraham@havant.gov.uk
We hope this article has been useful to
you!