Introduction
If you are interested in standing for election as a county councillor, we have prepared this page as a guide for you.
To become a County Councillor you would need to be elected to one of the 73 seats on the Council, representing a local electoral division. The exact date of the next County Council election has not yet been set, but it is likely to be in May or June 2009. If you wish to stand for Election you must be:
- a British citizen, a citizen of the Commonwealth, the Republic of Ireland or of another European Union State;
- over 18 years of age; and
- included on the Register of Electors for Northamptonshire, or have either lived or worked in Northamptonshire for 12 months preceding the election.
You cannot stand as a Councillor if:
- in the last 5 years you have been in prison or on a suspended sentence for 3 months or more;
- you have been declared bankrupt;
- you are an employee of Northamptonshire County Council;
- you have been disqualified.
To stand as a candidate for election you must be formally nominated by two electors on the electoral division as your proposer and seconder and eight other electors supporting your nomination. You do not have to be a member of a political party to stand as a candidate. If you are interested in standing for election as a Councillor please contact us using the details on the right hand side of this page
What would I do if I got elected?
As a councillor, you would be expected to participate in making decisions that will affect everyone living or working in Northamptonshire. Working with the other councillors, you will:
- take collective responsibility for setting the Council's annual budget;
- take part in setting the Council's major policies; and
- build up a good knowledge of the Council, its services and partners; and
You may also:
- take part in groups set up to look at certain aspects of the Council's services (called overview and scrutiny);
- represent the Council on any other organisations you may be appointed to; and
- take on positions of special responsibility such as chairperson of a committee or even the Leader of the Council.
We have prepared a Role Description that explains what Northamptonshire County Councillors do:
How would I serve the people in my local area?
As well as dealing with issues affecting the whole of Northamptonshire, you will also represent people in your local area. You will:
- Be responsible for a budget of £10,000 per year which you will be able to use to support projects in your area;
- actively encourage community participation in decision making and represent the views of your local community; and
- deal with individual casework and act as an advocate for your constituents in resolving their concerns.
You will also need to make sure that you are accessible to people in your area, for example by holding regular surgeries.
Do councillors get paid?
Councillors do not receive a salary but they are entitled to receive an allowance. All County Councillors receive a Basic Allowance, paid in monthly instalments. Councillors can also claim expenses to cover costs arising from things like childcare or dependent care and travelling that are incurred whilst working on Council business. Those councillors who also hold a position of special responsibility such as a member of the Cabinet or the Chairman of a committee receive an additional allowance known as a Special Responsibility Allowance.
How much time would I spend on being a councillor?
The time councillors spend on their duties varies considerably, but national research shows that councillors spend an average of around eighteen hours per week on council business.
The majority of this time will be spent on issues affecting your local community, but you will also be expected to attend Council meetings as well. Most Council meetings are held during office hours.
If, after being elected, you are elected by your group to a position of special responsibility, you may find this takes up considerably more time. Very senior councillors such as Cabinet Members find this can be equal to a full-time job.
Will my employer support me if I choose to stand for election?
You are entitled to reasonable time off for council duties. More information is available in our fact sheet:
Will I get any help?
The Council employs officers to support and advise councillors and they will provide you with all the information you need to take decisions. Officers are also responsible for implementing the decisions that you have helped to make. There is also a dedicated team of officers who manage the Council's meetings and decision making process and provide general support and advice to councillors.
You will also be provided with computer equipment and will have access to a dedicated IT support team. Training is also available to help you use the equipment effectively.
You will also have the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive induction programme. This will help you gain an understanding of how the Council works and the services it provides, as well as what will be expected of you. If you are appointed to a committee that deals with quasi-judicial issues, such as the determination of planning applications, special training will be provided.
More useful information is available from the Electoral Commission and the Improvement and Development Agency (links below)