The first step towards becoming a Borough Councillor is to complete and submit a nomination form. These are only available when there is a vacancy or when the full council elections are taking place. Full borough council elections take place every four years. The next full elections are due to take place in May 2011. Arrangements for the collection and submission of nomination forms are detailed on the Notice of Election which is published prior to the election and is the start of the election process. The nomination must be signed by a proposer, seconder and eight assentors, all of which must be included in the Register of Electors for the electoral ward in which you wish to stand as a candidate. If your nomination is valid, you will be accepted as a candidate and your name will be included on the ballot paper for the election. If you receive the greatest number of votes at the election and subsequently sign the acceptance of office document you will become a councillor for the ward and sit on the borough council as an elected member.

Vacancies which occur throughout the four year term of the council are shown on the Vacancies and Elections in progress page of our website.

Councillors play a key role:

• They are a voice of the community, representing local people and communities
• They are champions of the users of local services
• They help shape the future services for the benefit of local people, working in partnership with other organisations such as police, voluntary community sector, health and other public bodies and the private sector
• They oversee the work of the council, one of Hinckley's biggest businesses
• They play a major role in making local government work by developing a better quality of life for the people living in the borough of Hinckley & Bosworth

There are many reasons why people decide to become a local councillor. For example, some individuals stand because:

• They want to make a difference and be involved in shaping the future of the local community
• They are concerned about the local area in which they live and want to ensure that their local community is provided with the services needed
• They want to represent the views of local people and ensure that local community interests are taken into account
• They want to pursue their political beliefs
• They are concerned about one particular issue, for example the lack of facilities in an area or traffic congestion

For some, it is an extension of what they are already doing as they are active in a political party, trade union or school governing and they see the next step is to become a councillor.

To stand for election, on the day of nomination, you must be:

• 18 or over; and
• A UK, EU or Commonwealth Citizen
• Registered to vote on the Borough of Hinckley & Bosworth or for the whole 12 months preceding, you must have occupied as owner or tenant, any land or premises in the Borough of Hinckley & Bosworth or for the whole 12 months preceding worked (as principal employment) or lived in the Borough of Hinckley & Bosworth

You cannot stand if you:

• Work for Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
• Hold a politically restricted post for another authority
• Are bankrupt
• Have served a prison sentence (including suspended sentences) of 3 months or more within 5 years prior to the election
• Have been disqualified under any legislation relating to corrupt or ilegal practices
• Are an alien (i.e. a person who is not a British Subject), a person of unsound mind
• Anyone who is surcharged in excess of  £2000 by the auditor or court

You do not need any specific qualifications to become a councillor. Life experience is probably the best thing you can bring to the role.

You do not need to belong to a political party and can stand for election as an independent if you wish.

The role of a councillor can be very varied and it is up to each individual councillor how they work. Councillors have responsibilites to their ward, to the council and to the community.

Responsibilites to the ward

• To listen to and represent the views of the residents
• To make sure services are delivered effectively
• To try to secure extra resources for their ward
• To help out individual ward members on specific issues, known as 'case work'

As a councillor you will find that much of your time is taken up by contact with local people. This could be in the form of dealing with complaints or enquiries. Your role will be to listen, explain council policy and make sure that the policy has been carried out fairly according to the council's constitution. You will get help and support from council officers to deal with constituents' enquiries.

As a ward representative you can represent views and issues associated with the council on constituents' behalf. You could also be representing an individual or family at special appeals.

Responsibilities to the council

• To help form policy
• To help develop the council's budget and agree the level of council tax
• To make or scrutinise decisions

Your role on the council as a whole is to plan, run, monitor and develop council business. Councillors are essential to deciding what is in the public interest amidst a range of conflicting issues and views.

As a councillor you will be a member of council, and could also be on the executive, a scrutiny committee or regulatory committee. You will meet with other councillors from all political and other groups, to debate and approve council business in a formal setting. Most meetings are open to the press and public. There are written rules, which govern behaviour and procedures at these meetings called 'Procedure Rules' and these enable councillors to take part effectively.

Responsibilites to the community

• Community leadership is central to the Government's thinking about modern local governments. It involves partnerships with other organisations. Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council works in partnership with many local bodies and councillors serve on these local forums on behalf of the council
• Councillors carry out their community leadership role by representing the council and constituents on local management boards, school governor committees or local partnership panels
• Participating in the activities of any outside body to which they are appointed and reporting back to the council
• Developing a working knowledge of the organisations, services, activities and other factors important to the community's well being and identity

If you require further information on becoming a councillor, contact the Electoral Services Office on 01455 255835.

Click on the following link for details of all current vacancies (including parish council vacancies) and elections currently in progress