Want to represent your community? Nominations for councillors opening TODAY!

Those interested in becoming a councillor and representing their community are invited to get involved by submitting their nominations from today.

Tamworth Borough Council has already begun preparing for this year’s local election as candidates vie for 10 of the town’s borough seats (one in each ward).

Information packs, nomination packs, nomination forms and a presentation for candidates and their agents is available here: www.tamworth.gov.uk/elections-2022.

People wanting to stand as councillor must be:

• Over 18.
• Either a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union.
• A registered voter within the borough.
• Have lived, worked or owned property in the borough for more than 12 months.

The role of councillor has many aspects to it that makes it an appealing opportunity for many. Some of the reasons for candidates wanting to be a councillor may relate to:

• Making a difference and helping shape the future of the local community.
• Ensuring the community gets the right services.
• Representing the views of local people and ensuring that community interests are taken into account.
• Contributing their skills and ideas.
• Building on other community work through a charity, voluntary group or school governing body.
• Pursuing their political ambitions and contributing to their community.

• Developing leadership and analytical skills and obtaining practical and managerial work experience.

A councillor’s duty is to help and support their constituents and they do so through a variety of ways such as: by phone, email and letter, social media, home visits, drop-in sessions, street and community meetings or by attending local events.

They also work on specific council projects with other councillors and council officers as well as represent the council on external organisations like charities and public bodies.

The amount of time a councillor dedicates to their duties is up to the individual and depends on their role and what commitments they have. Roughly, potential councillors can expect to work around 25 hours per week in leading roles, such as a cabinet member.

Councillors receive a basic allowance which covers their travel costs to and from meetings. It is also a way of recognising how much time a councillor has devoted to undertaking council business on behalf of their constituents.

As for how much allowance they receive, each authority sets its own rate – which you can find on our website here: Become a councillor | Tamworth Borough Council.

Legally, an employer must allow a councillor to take a reasonable amount of time off during working hours to carry out their duties. How much time they take off depends on the scale of their responsibilities and the effect their absence will have on the council.

A councillor must discuss this with Tamworth Borough Council before committing to stand for election.

Visit Be a councillor | Local Government Association to find out more details on becoming a councillor.

The nomination period for this year’s local elections opens on Wednesday, March 23 and closes at 4pm on Tuesday, April 5.

Voting in this year’s elections

Tamworth residents will need to make sure they are registered to vote if they want to take part in this year’s election. Registration is not automatic – even if a person is paying council tax or living in council-owned properties.

The last day for people to register themselves to vote in the election is 5pm on Thursday, April 14. Register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Anyone who wants to request a new postal vote, change or cancel an existing postal vote or book a proxy appointment has until 5pm on Tuesday, April 19 to do so.

The final day for new applications to vote by proxy (except for emergencies) is 5pm on Tuesday, April 26while those voting by proxy on grounds of medical emergency or reason of employment have until 5pm on Thursday, May 5.

Those wanting to vote by post or proxy can download an application form via the Elections 2022 webpage on Tamworth Borough Council’s website at www.tamworth.gov.uk/elections-2022. People can also call the Elections Office on 01827 214155 for more information.