Becoming a Town Councillor
A local town or parish 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
Brixham Town Council runs numerous services and many you will see day-to-day. These include:
- Cycle parking
- Lanterns, Lights and ‘luminations
- Allotments
- Gardening Assistance Scheme
- Brixham Signal
- Summer Seasonal Displays
- Neighbourhood Plan
- Grants
As a town councillor you become a voice for your community and can make real change. Town councillors are the champions of their community who invest time in local projects and issues to the benefit of residents and the neighbourhood.
Town councillor responsibilities fall into three main categories:
- Decision-making
- Monitoring
- Getting involved locally
As a Town councillor you will need to, for example, attend to the needs of residents, local groups and businesses, make decisions on local services, collaborate with Torbay Council to adhere to local needs, and progress vital projects to invest in the future of the community. The main role is to influence and contribute to the formal decisions of the council, known as resolutions. The key skills a Town Councillor would need include:
- The ability to listen and be a voice for your community
- Act as an ambassador for your community
- Attend council meetings
- Attend ceremonial functions
- Commitment
For more information about standing as a candidate for Brixham Town Council, please visit the Electoral Commission website.
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
In addition to the above, you must also meet one of the following
- You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the parish in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards; 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 in or within three miles of the local council boundary
You cannot be a Councillor if you:
- Work for the council you want to be a councillor for, you can work for another local authority as long as you are not in a political restricted post.
- Are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order.
- Have been sentenced to prison for three months or more (including suspended sentences) during the five years before election day.
- Have been convicted of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court.
- Are subject to any relevant notification requirements, or a relevant order, in respect of a sexual offence.
To find out more information, please click on the following link:
Guidance for Candidates