Why Be a Councillor?

Help to strengthen local democracy, represent local views and get involved with decision making – become a Councillor!

Being a Councillor is a challenging and rewarding role, it is an opportunity to work with local residents and help them with their problems and local issues.

Charnwood Borough Council is a democratic organisation. It comprises of 52 councillors who are responsible for agreeing policies about provision of services and how the Council's money is spent. The Council employs officers who are responsible for its day to day management.

Councillors decide which policies the Council should pursue, ensure that they are carried out and monitor services provided to ensure that they are delivered in the most efficient and effective way.

The local Councillor is there to represent the views and opinions of individuals. It is also his or her responsibility to help those with difficulties which the Council could help solve. Charnwood Borough Council Councillors decide how the Council should carry out its many important functions.

Local Councillors are elected by the community to decide how the Council should carry out its various activities. They represent public interest as well as individuals living within the ward in which he or she has been elected to serve a term of office.

To do this they have regular contact with the general public through either Council meetings, telephone calls or surgeries. Surgeries provide an opportunity for any ward resident to go and talk their councillor face to face and these can take place on a regular basis.