Following the uncontested Parish Council elections, as from Monday 10th May 2021, there will be 4 vacancies on St Stephen in Brannel Parish Council. These vacancies will be filled by co-option. If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, please continue reading.

What is a Parish Councillor?

Parish Councillors are elected representatives who volunteer their time freely to work on behalf of local residents. By becoming a Parish Councillor you can become a voice for the local community and somebody who residents will look to for help, guidance and support. You will be involved in local decision making and strategic planning for the benefit of the people you serve. Seeing the  community change for the better, as a result of decisions you have helped make, is something that can give you a sense of achievement and pride.

What are the roles and responsibilities involved?

• A St Stephen in Brannel Parish Councillor is one of 15 individuals who are elected to represent the voice of residents within the Parish. This will involve engaging with local residents to ensure that their views are heard, understood and addressed.
• As part of the Parish Council you will have responsibility for managing local services and amenities such as the allotments, bus shelters, car parks, and cemeteries.
• As part of the Parish Council you will help to make decisions regarding the finances involved in delivering local services.
• You will be involved in working to protect and improve the built and natural environment of the community. This may involve contributing to long term policy development such as the neighbourhood development plan or being part of the team that assesses and comments on local planning applications.
• You may want to assist on short term local projects.

What skills will I need to be a Parish Councillor?

A Parish Council benefits from diversity and we welcome interest from people of different ages, backgrounds, experiences and abilities. Good communication skills, problem solving, analytical thinking and being a team player are all advantageous attributes.

How much time does being a councillor take?

As with anything, what you get out of being a Parish Councillor will depend on what you are able to put in. How much time you are able to commit is largely down to the individual and what level of involvement you are hoping for. As a minimum, you would be expected to attend the monthly Parish Council meeting held one evening per month. In addition you will need to be free to attend the meetings of any committees that you join such as Planning, Finance & General Purposes…

How long does a Parish Councillor serve for?

Once elected, Parish Councillors can sit on the Parish Council for a maximum of 4 years. If after that time, you wish to stay in post then you will need to stand for re-election.

Still interested?

Details of how to stand for co-option can be found HERE.

Details of Eligibility can be found HERE.

The Co-option Form can be found HERE.

Alternatively, please contact the Clerk, Linda Ranger, on 01726 823003 or clerk@ststepheninbrannel-pc.org.uk