Becoming a councillor

Services that unitary councillors are responsible for include:

• education
• transport
• planning
• fire and public safety
• social care
• libraries
• waste management
• trading standards
• rubbish collection
• recycling
• Council tax collections
• housing
• planning applications

Services that town and parish councils typically provide include:

• allotments
• public clocks
• bus shelters
• litter bins
• community centres
• play areas and play equipment
• providing local facilities
• powers to be notified of proposals and surveys

The services that town and parish councils provide will vary significantly by area depending on the size of the council. They have wide ranging discretionary legal powers, enabling each to make a unique contribution to the needs its local community. Each council will set a precept, a charge on top of council tax, which they will use to spend on services.

In addition to delivering services to improve the quality of life of their residents, town and parish councils work closely with Wiltshire Council to give a voice to local matters. Town and parish councils have the right to be consulted on issues impacting their area, such as planning applications.

Local councillors are a critical link between the public and councils and shape the development of services. If you care about your local area, and have time to give, we would like you to stand.

Wiltshire Council is responsible for more than 300 services ranging from adult social care to vulnerable children, from highways maintenance to planning. It is key that our services reflect the needs of Wiltshire's residents.

Town and parish councils have fewer responsibilities than Wiltshire Council but play a vital part in tailoring services to meet local needs and delivering projects that are important for local communities.

To qualify as a candidate for Wiltshire Council you will need to live or work in Wiltshire and be registered as a voter in the authority area. You must, for the whole of the twelve months before the day of nomination as a candidate, either live, have your principal place of work, or own or rent land in the Wiltshire Council authority area.

To stand as a parish councillor, you must have lived in the same parish area, or within three miles of it, during the 12 months before the day of your nomination.

A full list of criteria is available at www.electoralcommission.org.uk (opens new window).

No, you can stand as an independent member. If you wish to stand for a political party, you will need to contact the local party branch.

Most town and parish councillors sit independently of party-political affiliations, although some councils do form political groups. Conversely, the majority of Wiltshire's unitary councillors do sit as part of a political group.

You do not need any specific qualifications to become a councillor. Life experience is probably the best thing you can bring to the role. Listening and communication skills are important, and so is the ability to work with a variety of people from different backgrounds. A desire to learn, ask questions and exchange ideas will help you to contribute positively to debate and policy development.

Yes, many Wiltshire councillors also serve as town and parish councillors.

Town and parish councils

Town and parish councillors will receive guidance and advice from their clerks. Larger town and parish councils may also offer a formal induction process with further training.

As a councillor you will be expected to adhere to a Code of Conduct, set by your council, and uphold high standards of conduct in public office.

Wiltshire Council

After being formally nominated, those standing for election as a Wiltshire councillor will be sent further information about the council, the role of a Wiltshire councillor and what to expect on election night and beyond. Elected candidates will then be sent more detailed information providing full details about Wiltshire Council's welcome and induction process. This will run for the first two weeks of your time as a councillor, so it is important that candidates are available for this period. Training will include:

• Preparation for the first Annual Council meeting (currently scheduled for 20 May 2025)
• Key sessions on the council's services and how the council works
• Statutory based committee training
• Key councillor responsibilities and skills

Your role as a Wiltshire councillor will be to keep in touch with your local residents (approximately 4,200), represent their views and communicate matters to them. You will liaise with community groups and town and parish councils. Councillors collectively form the Full Council which determines the budget and main policies of the council. Wiltshire councillors also act as Corporate Parents for children and young people in the care of the Local Authority.

Further information about the role of Wiltshire councillors is available in Wiltshire Council's constitution.

Online document library: Constitution - Document (13) Part 11 - Role and Responsibilities of Councillors (opens new window)

The amount of time involved will vary depending on the type of council.

Nationally, unitary councillors spend on average 22 hours a week on council business, however this includes councillors that have existing full-time commitments and so may spend fewer hours on their council role, and others that can do much more.

You may spend your time as a councillor:

• managing case work by email, letter or meetings
• being out and about in the community
• attending council and committee meetings, including outside bodies
• preparing for meetings or carrying out research
• training and development
• attending meetings of your political group (if applicable).

The role depends on the matters of importance to your local area and how much time you can give. All councillors will, as a minimum, be expected to attend necessary training for their role and attend meetings of Full Council (approximately four times per year) and, for Wiltshire councillors, meetings of your Area Board (approximately four times per year).

Wiltshire councillors often attend town and parish council meetings in their divisions. Town and parish councils are also welcome to attend Area Boards, a useful forum to discuss local issues.

The term of office for a councillor is four years.

Candidates considering standing for election are encouraged to read the guidance from the Electoral Commission associated with the election they wish to stand in.

Guidance for candidates and agents for election to Wiltshire Council can be found at The Electoral Commission: Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England (opens new window).

The Employment Rights Act 1996 requires your employer to allow you a reasonable amount of time off as a local councillor, however, there is no requirement this is paid. We recommend you discuss this and agree the details with your employer.

Councillors do not receive a salary, but many councils have scheme of allowances to recognise the call on their time and resources.

At Wiltshire Council these are reviewed on a periodic basis and include a basic allowance, special responsibility allowances, travel and subsistence and carer allowances. The current (2024/25) basic allowance for Wiltshire councillors is £16,495 per year.

Parish councils may choose to pay their members an allowance, known as 'parish basic allowance', to recognise the time and effort they put in to their parish duties.

Much of your work can be undertaken from home, such as replying to emails or meeting with council officers online. Committee meetings of councils all take place at set times. Preparing for meetings or carrying out casework can be done at weekends or evenings if you choose.

At Wiltshire Council most meetings take place during the daytime, although Area Board meetings are held in the evening. Most town and parish council meetings will take place in the evenings. Wiltshire councillors will have access to council offices to access a desk, internet and printing services. Some town and parish councils may also have the resources to provide those facilities.

Yes, people with caring responsibilities are welcome to stand as a councillor.

At Wiltshire Council a carer's allowance is available if you incur expenditure to engage another carer for a dependent in order to carry out an approved councillor duty, such as attend a meeting. The allowance is currently set at the National Minimum Wage. Further details are available by contacting Democratic Services at committee@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).

Unfortunately, only principal authorities are allowed to reimburse councillors for child and other care costs to attend meetings, so these costs will not be covered if you are standing as a town or parish councillor.

Wiltshire is a large county and so a car may help you in your role if you are standing to be a Wiltshire councillor. However, reasonable public transport costs you incur in your role are reimbursed.

The role of a town or parish councillor is likely to incur less travel. Town and parish councils may pay travel and subsistence allowances to their councillors in respect of travel in connection with their duties. However, it is not mandatory for them to do so.

Ordinarily, Wiltshire Council meetings take place in the daytime at the main council hubs (Trowbridge, Chippenham or Salisbury). However, Area Boards (community meetings of local councillors and the public in your local area) take place in the evening in community locations.

Parish and town council meetings typically take place in the evening.

The number of meetings you attend will depend on how many committees you would like to be part of, or if you become appointed to a Special Responsibility, such as a cabinet member or committee chairman.

In addition to attending formal council meetings, you will attend a range of other meetings and briefings to discuss relevant issues. At Wiltshire Council the majority of these meetings will take place online. 

In your first two weeks as a Wiltshire councillor, you will be invited to a welcome day and further training events to cover essential training. The training is likely to include a mix of online and in-person sessions. Subsequent training will depend on the particular committee work you become involved with. IT training on specific systems is provided, however general IT literacy is beneficial.

Some larger town and parish councils may also run dedicated induction programmes to support you in the first few weeks of your role.

The Wiltshire Association of Local Councils is available to offer training to town and parish council members on a wide range of administration, legal, procedural and community topics.

Further information is available at: Wiltshire Association of Local Councils (WALC) (opens new window).

Wiltshire councillors will be provided with an officer 'buddy' who will signpost you to the council information you need. If you stand on behalf of a political party, other councillors from within the party may be assigned to assist you with other matters.

At town and parish councils, the clerk will be there to support you and provide training. You can also approach your fellow councillors for support and advice.

You will be asked to declare your 'interests' upon election and these will be published online. The Register of Interest will cover matters such as any work you (and your spouse/civil partner) undertake for profit or gain, sponsorships, contract, licences, land or tenancies in the area of authority, this information is published. Councillors' addresses, and 'phone numbers are typically published online, so the public can contact you. However, it is not a requirement to publish a 'phone number and you may be exempt from the requirement to publish your address under certain circumstances.

Wiltshire Council is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and will provide the necessary support to meet particular needs where appropriate (reasonable adjustments). Please discuss any requirements you may have at an early stage with the Democratic Services team at committee@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) we can make arrangements to support you.

Town and parish councils are required to make reasonable adjustments to support people with a disability. If you plan to stand as a town and parish councillor, we recommend that you contact your town or parish clerk to discuss the support available.