The Role Of A Parish Councillor

Parish Councillors are elected by the electors of the Parish every four years.

A Councillor may also be returned by by-election, co-option, appointment by the district council or by return after a successful election petition.

All Councillors are required to complete a declaration of Acceptance of Office and to provide a written undertaking that they accept the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Individual Councillors work together to serve the community and to help the Council to make decisions on behalf of the local community.

Councillors contribute to the work of the council by suggesting ideas, engaging in constructive debate and by responding to the needs and views of the community representing their constituents.

Councillors comment on proposals to ensure the best outcome and vote to enable the Council to make decisions.

Councillors must accept the decisions of the Council as a whole even if they do not agree with it. In such circumstances a Councillor may ask for a vote against a Resolution to be recorded.

Councillors are required to behave in an ethical way and to declare an interest when necessary.

Councillors can take on individual responsibility for certain issues / matters relating to the Parish but they have no individual power.

The Parish Council is a public body (the lowest tier of local Government) and Councillors vote as a member of the Parish Council.

There are 9 seats on the Parish Council of St Margaret’s at Cliffe.