Who can become a councillor?

We are looking for nominations for new councillors.

You can become a councillor if:

• You are over 18
• You are on the boroughs electoral register and your home is in the borough (for at least the past 12 months); or
• You work in the area of Taunton Deane (for at least the past 12 months); or
• You own a property in the area of Taunton Deane (for at least the past 12 months).

You could be disqualified as a candidate if:

• You are an undischarged bankrupt;
• You have a criminal conviction which carried a prison sentence of 3 months or more
• You work for Taunton Deane Borough Council or hold a politically restricted post with another authority.

What qualifications do I need to become a councillor?

You don't need any formal qualifications to become a councillor but you do need a passion for your local community and the Taunton Deane area as well as a willingness to give up some of your time.

Our Member (councillor) Development Officers will help you obtain the knowledge and skills you'll need. There are a number of ways in which we try to make your role as a councillor easier.

• Provision of fax machines
• If you have your own computer, we can arrange an e-mail link to officers of the council. We will even be able to lend you a computer if you do not have one. If you find it necessary to install a second telephone line for your computer we will pay the quarterly rental
• Year book and diary
• Members' Room - Members have use of the Members' Room and its facilities, including the PC, and telephones. There are also facilities for making hot drinks. Relevant magazines, periodicals, agendas, briefing papers and general information are placed in this room
• There are currently also separate offices for each of the political groups represented on the council
• Headed paper - Members are supplied with headed paper for their use
• Business cards
• Photocopying and typing - These services are available to councillors for all council related work
• Ward based information service - This service is intended to keep members fully informed of the activities taking place in their ward. You will be provided with extracts of agendas, and be alerted to any council activity within your ward
• The Weekly Bulletin - This is regularly sent to members. It is designed to give members information about the everyday work of this mouncil which will not normally find its way onto an agenda. The names of the right officer to contact is always included and these members of staff will be pleased to talk over the item with you, for your information
• Badges and passes - You will be supplied with a name badge which should be used when attending meetings with other councils and organisations. You will also be given a car park pass which will enable you to park, free of charge, in the Council's Belvedere Road car park when on council business, and an entry card for access to The Deane House car park
• We also provide an out of office hours answering service so that, if you are not able to contact us during the day, you can leave a message and we will deal with it the next day
• Your name and address are published so that they are available to the public
• There is a casework system where we can undertake research and monitor and track responses to help you with your casework so that together we provide a quick and efficient service to your constituents
• We are an equal opportunities council and welcome candidates with disabilities. We have a lift, a hearing loop system and trained signers.
  

If you feel you need anything else please contact

Greg Dyke
Democratic Services Manager
Tel: 01823 356356
Email memberservices@tauntondeane.gov.uk