Stand To Sit

County Council Elections

The County Council elections are held every four years, the next elections being due in May 2009. The information on the remainder of this web page was prepared for the 2005 elections. The information will be refreshed during 2008 in preparation for next election and to reflect any changes in role, qualifications etc.

For latest information or if you want to know more contact

Julian Gale - Democratic Services Group Manager
Email: jjgale@somerset.gov.uk
Telephone: 01823 355025

County Council Election May 2005

The County Council election is approaching and you now have the opportunity to take part in public life as a member of Somerset County Council. You do not need lots of qualifications to become a councillor. What is most important is that you care about the people in your constituency and wish to do your best for Somerset. You can stand either on behalf of a political party or as an independent candidate. Political parties’ local offices are listed in the Yellow Pages under ‘Political Organisations.’

The Role of Somerset County Council

To provide excellent services that are accessible, responsive and sustainable to ensure Somerset is a healthy and vibrant place to live, work and visit.

The Role of County Councillors

To serve the public
To embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity for all.
Councillors are responsible for ensuring that the County Council’s duties and powers are properly planned, resourced and carried out.

What Sort of Work does a County Councillor do?

Being a County Councillor is a challenge. You cannot leave this role at the office at 5pm. (In fact most County Councillors use their home as their base of operations and the public can contact them there at any time of the day.)

Councillors:

Spend time talking to constituents and dealing with their problems
Campaign on local issues
Attend Council, committee and group meetings and read the paperwork
Attend meetings outside of the Council, e.g. parish councils and local interest groups
Attend local public events

This role involves taking in a lot of information and developing a good knowledge of Somerset and the Council.

Councillors have to make difficult decisions and can find themselves being expected by their constituents to support both sides of an argument. Being a Councillor can sometimes seem a thankless task, the public are more likely to contact you with complaints not compliments. But you can make a significant and positive difference to Somerset and its population.

Some Personal Qualities Needed in a Councillor:

A Good Negotiator: be able to find the middle ground between opposing groups.
A Good Communicator: be able to present policies and arguments in such a way that they can be understood by the public.
Courageous: decisions you make will be unpopular with some people but you must be able to stand up for and explain what you believe in.
Persuasive: the ability to persuade people to agree and take part could help you move mountains.
Honest: be ready to admit what you do not know and what can and cannot be done.

A Councillor also needs to be resilient, energetic and prepared to listen sympathetically to an aggrieved constituent even when the baby’s been sick and the dog’s whining for his dinner.

To Make Life Easier

PCs and other equipment will be provided and maintained, so that information can be circulated between Council employees and Councillors via email. Facilities are also, available at County Hall for Councillors to check their emails and do their work between meetings.

You would need basic skills in electronic communication systems, such as email (training is available).

What Support Would I Get?

County Council employees are there to advise on policy and decision making and to implement the Council’s decisions. You will receive personalised development and training to help you work effectively as a County Councillor.

The County Council will pay you a basic Allowance, which is currently set at £8450 per annum together with travel and subsistence expenses. There are additional payments for those who take on special responsibilities. There is also a carers allowance for Councillors with children and adult dependants.

If you decided to stand as a representative for a political party they would give you help and advice during your campaign and when you are a County Councillor. If you are employed you will have to check with your employer whether you will be able to have time off for Council duties.

Somerset County Council values diversity, and celebrates cultural and social differences. Our Equal Opportunities Promise is to provide all services of equal quality which meet your needs and fulfil your rights. You can expect to be treated fairly, with respect, dignity and understanding whoever you are and whatever your background.

Am I Qualified to Stand for Election for Somerset County Council?

Set out below are some basic guidelines to give you an idea about whether you are qualified:

To stand for election you need to be at least 21 years old and a citizen of either Britain, the Commonwealth, the Irish Republic or another European State. You must also meet at least one of these 4 criteria:

you are registered to vote in the elections for Somerset County Council on the day you are nominated and on the day of the election and remain registered
thereafter; or

for at least 12 months continuously up to the day of your nomination and the election:

2. you lived in Somerset; or
3. you owned or rented either land or premises in Somerset; or
4. your main place of work was in Somerset.

But you cannot stand for election if:

in the last 5 years you have been in prison or on a suspended sentence for 3 months or more;
you are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order;
you are an employee of Somerset County Council;
you have been disqualified *

* To find out what other disqualifications there are and if you are qualified, contact the Acting County Secretary Julian Gale.

If you want to know more

Why not contact Julian Gale, Acting County Secretary, who will be pleased to answer your queries.

Email: jjgale@somerset.gov.uk
Telephone: 01823 355025

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