The following page explains the role of our councillors. Here you can find information about:
Councillors make decisions about the services which are provided by the Council. Their role includes liaising with people and groups within the local community and campaigning for the issues which affect them.
Each councillor represents an area known as a “Division”. They are elected in local elections, based on their policies and political affiliation. They serve for a period of 4 years.
Councillors have to abide by a
Code of Conduct, which ensures high standards in the duties they undertake. This includes making a
declaration of any financial interests, gifts or hospitality that could influence the decisions they make. You can access these declarations through the website, or view a copy which is held in County Hall in Chelmsford by contacting the Governance Team.
As part of the Code of Conduct, councillors are monitored by the Standards Committee, which also trains and advises them.
Councillors meet regularly to make decisions about how the Council is run. These meetings are often open to the public, although you will usually not be able to speak. Through this website, you can find
details of upcoming council meetings, as well as
agendas and minutes of those which have passed.
Councillors do not receive a wage, but they can claim expenses to cover the costs incurred in their duties, for example travel and accommodation. Details of how much councillors claim are
published quarterly.
You can find contact details for your local councillor by using our
search facility. Here you will also be able to find details of your next councillor clinic, where your councillor will be available to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have.
Becoming a councillor is a great way to represent and make positive changes to your local community. You can either stand as an independent, or as a representative of a political party. If you want to represent a party, you will first need to join one and ask them to select you as their candidate for your area.
To qualify as a candidate you must satisfy the following criteria on nomination day and polling day:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union
A candidate must also meet at least one of the following four qualifications during the whole of the 12 months before the day nominated and on polling day:
- Be registered as a local government elector for the Council; or
- Have been an owner or tenant of any land or premises in the Council’s area; or
- The main or only place of work has been in the Council’s area; or
- Have lived in the Council’s area
You can’t stand for election if you:
- Work for the council;
- Have recently been in prison.