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Politician, Policy Maker, Representative, Manager, Member

As a Councillor you would be representing the people of local wards. There are 18 wards in Bournemouth. As a Councillor, you would meet with the public through surgeries where constituents could discuss any local government issues or issues that affect the local community with you.

You would also serve on Scrutiny and Review Panels, Statutory Boards and attend the committee meetings where Councillors make decisions about the way in which services are provided in Bournemouth.

How do I become one?

Bournemouth has 54 democratically elected Councillors. Currently, full elections are held in all wards every 4 years on the first Thursday in May.

To apply to become a Councillor you would need to contact the Town Hall on 01202-451122 prior to the elections in which you wanted to stand as a candidate. You can pick up a pack containing all the necessary forms and information from the Town Hall. Before you can be accepted as a candidate, you must get a proposer, a seconder and eight other assentors to nominate you. All these people must be on the electoral register for the ward in which you are standing. You will be entitled to have a copy of the register if you decide to stand.

You may wish to appoint an election agent who will help you to deal with a number of things, from co-ordinating your expenses to helping organise a public meeting, a display or issuing advertisements, circulars or publications. You may wish to do this yourself though. All your campaigning expenses are covered yourself but you must declare them in your Return of Expenses. An allowance is given for attending committees and official council meetings. Most of these meetings are at 7.00pm although some are throughout the day. Some Councillors continue with their careers.

• you are 18 years or over OR
• you are a Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a citizen of another Member State of the European Community

AND

• you are a local government elector for the Bournemouth area OR
• you are an owner or tenant of any land / premises in the Bournemouth area and lived here for a minimum of 12 months OR
• Bournemouth is your principal or only place of work and has been for a 12-month period or more.

• already work for the Local Authority or hold a politically restricted post in another Authority
• are an undischarged bankrupt
• have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment
• have been disqualified under any enactment relating to corrupt or illegal practices.

By becoming a Councillor you could make a difference and influence the shape and culture of Bournemouth.