Interested in becoming a councillor?

What do Brinsworth Parish councillors do?

Councillors have three main areas of work:

  1. Decision-making: through attending meetings and 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;
    2. Monitoring: councillors make sure that their decisions lead to efficient and effective services by keeping an eye on how well things are working;
    3. Getting involved locally: as local representatives, councillors have responsibilities towards their parishioners and local organisations. This often depends on what the councillor wants to achieve and how much time is available.

The day-to-day work of a councillor may include:

  • Going to meetings of local organisations
  • Going to meetings of bodies that affect the wider community, such as the police, the Highways Authority, schools and colleges
  • Bringing parishioners concerns to the attention of the council

Could I be a Brinsworth Parish councillor?

As a councillor you can become a voice for the community of Brinsworth and affect real change. It helps if you’re a “people person” who enjoys talking to other residents but, more importantly, you need to have the concerns and best interests of the parish as a whole at heart. Councillors are community leaders and should represent the aspirations of the public that they serve.

Why don’t you stand for Brinsworth Parish Council and see what difference you can make to your local community?

How much time does it take up & when?

On average, less than a couple of hours a week. There are some councillors who spend more time than this – and some less, 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. Council meetings are always held in the evening – as are most meetings of the other groups which councillors attend on the Council’s behalf.

Talking and listening to your fellow parishioners can be done at any time but you must be able to spend a couple of hours every month (in the evening) attending the Council meeting.

Am I qualified to be a Parish Councillor?

Most people are. However, there are a few basic rules. You have to be:

  • A British citizen, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union, and
  • 18 years or older on the day you become nominated for election, and
  • Live or work in or near the parish.
  • You cannot stand for election if you:
  • Are the subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order
  • Have, within five years before the day of the election, been convicted in the United Kingdom of any offence and have had a prison sentence (whether suspended or not) for a period of over three months without the option of a fine.
  • There are also some other disqualifications relating to candidacy, but they are too complex to outline here.

Want to get involved?

The best way to discover if being a Brinsworth Parish Councillor is right for you is to come along to one of our meetings, meet the team and see us in action. Alternatively feel free to contact any of the Parish Councillors through the website contacts page and have a chat with us. To register an interest in joining the council, please contact our clerk Peter Jenkinson – office@brinsworthparishcouncil.gov.uk