Parish Elections are scheduled to take place on Thursday 4 May 2023. IFPC supports the national Make A Change campaign by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) encouraging residents to stand in the local (parish and town) council elections.
The campaign calls on people from all backgrounds and experiences who are passionate about their local area to put themselves forward. IFPC is urging enthusiastic and engaged members of the community who want to make a long-lasting change, have innovative ideas or have concerns about a specific issue to stand as councillors for the opportunity to make a real difference.
Find out more about the local elections and how to become a councillor: www.nalc.gov.uk/makeachange
WHAT DO LOCAL COUNCILS DO?
Your local (parish and town) council has overall responsibility for the wellbeing of your local community. Their work falls into three main categories:
• Delivery of services
• Improve quality of life for residents
• Give communities a democratic voice#
Local councils run numerous services, depending on the size of the council. Many you will see day-to-day, but some are less known. These include introducing solar panels, setting up dementia-friendly groups, organising
community buses, creating neighbourhood plans, implementing suitable housing, establishing youth projects, managing allotments and open spaces, maintaining footpaths, public seating and litter bins.
BECOMING A LOCAL COUNCILLOR
As a local councillor you can become a voice for your community and make real change. Local councillors are the champions of their community who invest time in local projects and issues to the benefit of residents and the
neighbourhood.
Local councillor responsibilities fall into three main categories:
• Decision-making
• Monitoring
• Getting involved locally
Local councillors attend to local needs of residents, local groups and businesses, make decisions on local services, collaborate with district and borough councils to adhere to local needs, and progress vital projects to invest in the future of the community.
CAN I STAND FOR ELECTION?
To stand for election to a local council you must be:
• A UK or Commonwealth citizen; or be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland; or be a citizen of another Member State of the European Union
• At least 18 years old
• An elector of the local council; or in the past 12 months occupied land or other premises in the area the local council serves (as owner or tenant); or work in the area local council serves (as your principal or only place of
work); or live within three miles of the local council boundary
