Becoming a Councillor
Why Become a Councillor?
If you care about the community you live in
and are able to listen, communicate and work well with others then
you may be interested in becoming a Councillor.
National Government have also provided
guidance and requirements on involving the community more in taking
an active participation in local government. The Council
wishes to attract new talent from all walks of life, age groups and
ethnic backgrounds to become Councillors.
How Does the Council
Work?
There are 55 Members elected to the Council by
the public.
There are approximately 600 Officers who are
employed by Maidstone Borough Council to deliver the services to
our residents and work with the Members to achieve the aims of the
Council for our customers.
There are currently 3 political groups
elected on to the Council:-
Conservative 29
Liberal Democrat 21
Independent 5
The Council vote to elect a Leader of the
Council. The Leader then appoints the Cabinet Members (The
Leader and Cabinet are also known as the Executive).
Wards
The Borough of Maidstone is split into 26
Wards. To become a Councillor you will require the support of
10 registered electors from the Ward you wish to represent.
There are also 36 Parish Councils (plus 5
Parish Meetings) within the Borough. To find out more about
becoming a Parish Councillor, please contact your local Parish Clerk
Committees
Most Councillors have a non-Executive
role. There are various Committees that non-Executive
councillors will be nominated to participate in.
There are regulatory Committees — e.g.
Planning and Licensing where the Council is responsible for
granting planning permissions, licensing certain premises, taxis
etc. These Committees reflect the political membership of the
council but are totally separate from the Executive.
There are also non-regulatory Committees —
e.g. Overview & Scrutiny, Audit, Standards etc.
Click this link to view the full list of
Committees
How we support
Councillors
Councillors receive an annual allowance to
help with their expenses.
Click this link to view the full Members
Allowance Scheme
We provide training and learning opportunities
for all Councillors. Some Committees (such as Planning and
Licensing) require Members to receive full and appropriate training
before they can sit on the Committee. Development of Members
is fully encouraged and supported by the Council.
National Bodies — Local Government Association
- LGA
Improvement and Development Agency - IdEA
For further information and/or a brochure - please contact Janet
Barnes,
PA to the Cabinet, on 01622 602242 or janetbarnes@maidstone.gov.uk