What Time Commitment Is Involved in Being a Borough Councillor?

It is difficult to quantify but should not be underestimated. Representing residents, attending committees and local organisations’ meetings will take up your time. However, people who have full time jobs and family commitments do manage it – it is challenging but also rewarding! You will need support from your family and personal relationships in this demanding role which can take up a lot of your spare time.

Residents will contact you by telephone, letter and e-mail and may not call at what you consider to be a ‘reasonable hour’. They will be looking for your help with their problems. You may also spend time visiting residents in their homes or at the Council Offices.

If you take on more advanced roles as a councillor, for example, chairing a committee, becoming a Group Leader or even a Cabinet Lead Member the demands on your time will increase.

Each committee you serve on will have reports which will be sent to you prior to the meeting for you to consider. Again, some committees are more demanding than others. For example, members of the Planning Committee may wish to visit the site of a proposed application and there will also be letters from residents to read.

Some committees also meet more often than others, for example Planning Committee and Cabinet meet every three weeks, other committees bi-monthly. Some may only meet when they are needed.

Committees start at 6.00pm or 6.30pm and generally last 1 to 2 hours.

If you are a member of a political party then there will also be additional meetings and work that you will be expected to be involved with.

Managing and prioritising your time will be a key skill to be developed whilst you are a councillor as there are many demands on your time and a great deal of information to take in. However, the rewards of helping people and making a difference in the community keep people coming back to stand for this role and making a successful contribution to the life of Charnwood.