What is a Councillor?

A Councillor having been elected (for a four year term) or co-opted must sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and Members Code of Conduct and complete the Register of Members' Financial and Other Interests (Local Government Act 1972) (Declaration of Acceptance of Office Order 2001).

Councillors should maintain a correct standard of behaviour, acting ethically and to treat others with respect and represent the Council in a constructive manner.

A Councillor has a duty to attend meetings when summoned to do so. It is important to pay attention to the agenda and research further the items for discussion in order to contribute to proposals, engage in debate and help make sound decisions. A Councillor should represent the views and needs of the whole community and be mindful of under represented groups and the differing interests within the community.

Parish Councillors in Huncote are elected to the council to represent the interests and expectations of all parishioners who live and work within the Huncote parish boundary.

Parish Councillors have three main components to their role.

Decision Making – Through meetings and attending 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 parishioners and local organisations. These responsibilities and duties often depend on what the Councillor wants to achieve and how much time is available, and may include:

• Going to meetings of local organisations
• Going to meetings of bodies affecting the wider community
• Taking up issues on behalf of members of the public
• Running a surgery for residents to bring up issues

How much time does it take up?

Parish Councillors attend one parish council meeting a month on the first Thursday of the month on average (with no meeting in August). Additionally, quite often Councillors say that their duties occupy them for about two or three hours a week. Obviously there are some Councillors who spend more or less time than this. But in the main, being a Parish Councillor is an enjoyable way of contributing to your community, and helping to make it a better place to live and work.

Will I get paid for being a Councillor?

Councillors do not receive a salary. However, there may be an entitlement to reclaim mileage incurred while on council business. At present, no current or recently serving Parish Councillor has taken up this option.

What training and support is available?

An induction pack is issued to all Councillors upon being elected. Training sessions are regularly arranged by the Leicestershire and Rutland Association of Local Councils.

Am I qualified?

Yes – most people are. However there are a few rules:

You have to be:

• A British subject, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union and be 18 years of age or over
• A local government elector for the council area for which you want to stand; or
• Have during the whole of the 12 months preceding that day occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the council area; or
• Have during that same period had your principal or only place of work in the council area; or
• During that 12 month period resided in the council area

You cannot become a Parish Councillor if you:

• Are subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order
• Have, within five years, been convicted in the United Kingdom of any offence and have had a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of over three months without the option of a fine
• You work for the council you want to become a councillor for (but you can work for other local authorities, including the principal authorities that represent the same area).