South Lakeland District Council A guide to becoming a Councillor Do you want to help to get things done in your neighbourhood? Are you already active in your community? This booklet contains information about the council and how it works, the role and duties of a Councillor, and how to stand for election. February 2015 www.southlakeland.gov.ukpage 1 South Lakeland District Council A guide to becoming a Councillor This booklet contains information about the council and how it works, the role and duties of a Councillor, and how to stand for election. For further information and clarification please contact the: Democratic and Electoral Services Manager South Lakeland District Council South Lakeland House Lowther Street Kendal Cumbria LA9 4UQ Telephone: 01539 793186 Email: [email protected] February 2015 A guide to becoming a Councillor South Lakeland District Council Contents Page 1. Introduction 2 2. What do councils do? 2 3. The district of South Lakeland 2 4. South Lakeland District Council 3 5. Why become a Councillor? 3 6. How to become a Councillor 3 7. Requirements of standing as a District Councillor 4 8. The role of a Councillor 5 9. How the council makes decisions 6 10. Standards of conduct 8 11. How much time will I need to give to my council duties? 8 12. Allowances 8 13. Comments from new Councillors 9 14. More specific information on local government 9 page 1 South Lakeland District Council A guide to becoming a Councillor 1. Introduction 3. The district of South This guide explains how to become a councillor. Lakeland We hope it will encourage you and people from South Lakeland is the fourth largest district in the all walks of life to take an interest in local UK, covering an area of some 600 square miles, democracy and to think about putting yourself and embracing a wide variety of landscapes, forward for election. including some of the most beautiful and spectacular scenery in Britain. It stretches from More detailed and specific information can be Dunmail Raise in the north, southwards to obtained from the Democratic and Electoral Arnside, westwards to the Duddon Valley, and Services Manager as well as the various contacts eastwards to Dent and Garsdale, encompassing listed at the back of this publication. an area of countryside that includes mountains, fells, lakes, tarns, valleys, pasture land, estuary 2. What do councils do? and coastline. Large parts of the District fall within two national Parks, the Lake District Councils provide local services to people living National Park, and the Yorkshire Dales National or working in their areas. They are made up of Parks. smaller areas known as wards. There are different types of council: unitary, metropolitan The resident population is about 103,000, but this and London boroughs, which are responsible for is increased considerably by visitors to the area all local services; and county councils and district from all over Britain and from abroad. Whilst councils – where the responsibilities are shared there is a recognised season, extending from between them. In addition, there are also parish about Easter well into October, there is still a councillors who are important consultees for their steady flow of visitors throughout the winter local communities. months, attracted by the accessibility of the area and what it offers. With good rail and road In general terms, elected councillors make communications – the M6 Motorway bisects the decisions that guide the council and paid council district, as does the main railway line to Scotland staff carry these decisions out, in accordance – the Lake District is within a relatively short with the law and guidelines. journey time from a number of major cities, such as Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. Councils work in partnership with other local organisations such as health, fire and rescue and The principal centres of population are Kendal, police authorities. Councillors make sure that which houses the main offices of all departments these organisations work together to meet the of the Authority, Ambleside, Ulverston, needs of local people. Windermere and Grange-over-Sands. Good shopping facilities are available at all these centres, including many new developments. Because of the good road communications, shopping visits to the cities mentioned above, and many others, can be undertaken with ease. page 2 A guide to becoming a Councillor South Lakeland District Council Whilst tourism is an ever-expanding industry, 6. How to become a Councillor agriculture still dominates the landscape. There are also numerous specialist industries based on The majority of people who become Councillors the developing industrial estates of Kendal and do so through a political party with which they Ulverston. may feel a natural affinity; however, some people choose to be independent of any formal political Recreation in the District caters for a wide range party. of interest, taking in active sports such as swimming, sailing, tennis, golf, fell-walking, District elections are normally held on the first mountaineering, to less strenuous pastimes. Thursday in May when a third of the Councillors Theatre, music, museums and concerts of all are re-elected. Consequently, one year in every kinds are available, plus festivals, agricultural four there are no district council elections. Each shows, and events unique to the area such as term of office is four years – unless you are Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling or elected into office as a result of a by-election (see hound-trailing. below). 4. South Lakeland District Occasionally, when a Councillor resigns or dies, for example, by-elections are held in between the Council scheduled district elections. If you are elected at The council has 51 elected members (District a by-election you will serve until the next Councillors) and employs over 400 full and part- scheduled district election for your Ward. time staff and has offices and depots in Kendal, When an election is called a notice is published. Ulverston and Windermere. Prospective candidates can apply to the Returning Officer, at the council offices, for a 5. Why become a Councillor? nomination pack. People become a councillor for various reasons. You do not have to belong to a political party to These can be because they are interested in their stand for election but you will need to be a local area and it’s residents and care about the member of the party’s local organisation if you community as a whole; making sure that the are thinking of standing as a candidate for a views of the community are taken into account by particular party. the council when it makes decisions; wanting to be part of the process of shaping the future of You don’t have to pay a deposit to stand in local their local community; concerns about a elections. particular issue in the community; or wanting to pursue their political beliefs or being politically It is important to bear in mind that you may or active and wanting to pursue this to the next may not get time off work for your council duties. stage. This will depend on your employer, although by law your employer must allow you a reasonable amount of time off to perform your duties. If you are thinking of standing for election it would be advisable to discuss your intentions with your employer before you submit your nomination paper. page 3 South Lakeland District Council A guide to becoming a Councillor Nomination packs Two people are required to propose and second you and you need a further eight people to act as assenters to your nomination. Full details of the electoral processes including the nomination procedure are available upon request from: Electoral Services Manager South Lakeland District Council South Lakeland House Lowther Street Kendal Cumbria LA9 4UQ It is important for you to bear in mind that there is a set limit of £600, with an additional 5p for every Telephone: 01539 793194 entry in the ward register of electors for which Fax: 01539 740300 you are seeking to be elected. Further Email: [email protected] information can be obtained from the Electoral Election agents Services Manager. You can act as your own election agent but many 7. Requirements for standing as candidates find it is helpful to have an agent. If a District Councillor you are in a political party, it may be that one person takes on the role of agent for several Age candidates. You must be 18 years old on the day of The role of the agent is to make sure that you nomination but there is no upper age limit. have completed all the paperwork correctly and that it has been submitted by the given deadlines; Nationality and keep clear and accurate financial records of You need to be a UK, EU or Commonwealth expenditure and make sure they are sent in citizen. within the deadline period to the Returning Officer. The agent will also help to organise your Other requirements election campaign. In addition you must also meet at least one of the Election expenses following criteria: These cover things such as publicity material, • Be registered as an elector in the district; or property, services or items used for the • Have lived in the district for the past 12 campaign. Some assistance to cover these months; or costs may be available if you are a member of a political party but you should check this with your • Have occupied as owner or tenant any political party or group before entering into any premises or land in the district for the past expense. 12 months; or • Have had your main or only place of work in The Returning Officer does not reimburse any the district for the past 12 months.