Want to be a Councillor?  

Could you be a councillor?

Vacancies do arise between elections in either the North or South Ward of Withernsea. 

The local council is the place where decisions affecting local people are made.

If you care about the area that you live in and the issues facing the people who live there you might want to find out more about how the council works and how decisions are reached.

Your interest might range from the level of council tax in your area, to local amenities and services or just the irritating speed hump outside your home.

Research tells us that the issues that concern most people are crime, schools, transport, and the environment, but there are many more issues.

Your local council can make a difference on all these issues and so can you as a local councillor.

Becoming a councillor is both a rewarding and privileged form of public service. You will be able to make a difference to the quality of other people’s daily lives and prospects. However, being an effective councillor requires both commitment and hard work.

Every day, councillors must balance the needs and interests of residents, their political party (if any) and the council. These will all make legitimate demands on a councillor’s time – on top of the demands and needs of a councillor’s personal and professional lives. Your role as a councillor often depends on your experience and commitment.

Before you consider becoming a councillor you may want to discuss it with your family and friends to ensure that they understand that you will need their support and understanding. You may be spending a lot of your spare time on council business. Withernsea Town Council does have a lot of assets to look after and is a very busy Council. The role is voluntary – our councillors are not paid.

Practically anyone can be a Councillor. You must be an elector over 18, and a UK citizen. In addition, you must have for the whole of the last 12 months resided in or within 3 miles of Withernsea or have occupied land or premises as an owner or tenant in the Parish or had their principle or only place of work in the Parish.

It is the role of the Councillor to suggest ideas, engage in constructive debate, respond to the needs and the views of the community, represent constituents, behave in an ethical manner and comment on proposals to help the Council make decisions. You will be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the Council providing the first tier of Government nearest the electorate. Your goal must be to represent the interests of the Town and its people and not to seek personal gain or pursue personal issues.

You must be available to attend Town Council meetings which are held every month on Monday evenings. In addition, there are the Town Council’s committees which generally meet monthly, and you will be expected to attend meetings with other groups, organisations & partnerships, often as the Town Council’s elected representative. 

 If you wish to discuss anything about being a Councillor, or how to apply, please telephone The Clerk on 01964 614984.