How to become a councillor

Councillors are elected by local people to represent them and are the link between the community and the council. They keep residents informed about council matters which will affect them and can make a huge difference to the quality of life of local people and how local issues are dealt with. You can apply to become a councillor when there is a vacant seat on the council.

If you're considering becoming a councillor, you will find everything you need to know on the Local Government Association's Be a councillor webpage. It explains what councils and councillors do, what you will need to do to take your first steps and all about the role and the support you can expect. 

West Berkshire Council is made up of 43 councillors who are elected every four years by people who are registered to vote in West Berkshire. There is a development programme to help you administer your duties.

Who can be a councillor

To be a councillor in West Berkshire you must be:

• 18 years old or over
• British citizen, a Commonwealth citizen or Irish citizen, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights
• registered as a voter in the West Berkshire Council area
• the owner or tenant of any land or premises in the local authority area for at least the last 12 months
• predominantly working in the West Berkshire Council area for at least the last 12 months
• or living in the West Berkshire area for the last 12 months

You are not able to stand as a candidate if:

• you are employed by the council or hold paid office within the authority (including joint boards or committees)
• hold a politically restricted post
• are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order
• have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence) during the five years before election day
• have been convicted of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court
• are subject to any relevant notification requirements, or a relevant order, in respect of a sexual offence

For more details about disqualifications, please see the Electoral Commission website for advice. 

The application process to become a councillor

If you decide that you meet the eligibility requirements to become a councillor, you will need to complete the nomination process when an election for a vacant seat is called. There are three forms that you must complete:

• nomination papers
• consent to nomination
• home address form

The forms are quite prescriptive, and any errors may mean that you need to complete these again and obtain the relevant signatures. If you do not have all the completed paperwork and signatures by the deadline, you will not be able to stand as a candidate. We suggest that you review the guidance provided by the Electoral Commission for candidates and agents which includes videos on how to complete these forms. Please note that the forms and guidance vary for each type of election.

If you have any queries on the process of how to become a councillor, please contact the Electoral Services team.