Want to become a city councillor?

Find out how to become a local councillor for Brighton & Hove City Council at the May 2019 local elections and what being a councillor involves.

IF you’ve ever had concerns about where you live or you want to get involved with the public services Brighton & Hove City Council provides, becoming a local councillor is one way you can become a voice and a decision maker for your local area; and the city.

On May 2 2019 voters in Brighton & Hove will choose the local councillors they want to represent them on Brighton & Hove City Council for the next four years and the council want to make sure that anyone interested in becoming a local councillor can find out more about the election process and the crucial community role.

To ensure that people from a broad range of backgrounds will stand for election to reflect the diversity of the cities varied communities they’re holding two meetings for you to discover if you want to become a councillor.

There will be two public meetings in November on:

♦ Thursday, November 8, from 6pm to 8pm at Hove Town Hall council chamber
♦ Tuesday, November 13 from 10am to 12 noon at Hove Town Hall council chamber

where you can hear from the council’s Chief Executive Geoff Raw and the senior management team about the services the council provides and you’ll also have the chance to meet current councillors who can tell you what it’s really like being a councillor, what you’re likely to get involved with and what you’ll have to do if you’re elected.

It’s also your opportunity to ask questions such as “Do I get paid?”, “What support will I get if I’ve never been a councillor before?” “What is the statutory role of a councillor?”, “What can I actually change?”, “how do local government finances work?” and “do I have to join a political party to become a councillor?”

You don’t need to let them know that you’re coming to one of the sessions and you’re more than welcome to drop in at any time during the meetings.

Contact the council if you need any assistance. They can’t provide transport to get to the sessions but if you need any help once you arrive at the town hall there will be plenty of people on hand to help you.

If you need any assistance at the sessions or can confirm attendance in advance email: the democratic services team on: democratic.services@brighton-hove.gov.uk OR telephone: 01273 291066

Discover what it’s like to be a councillor by following them on social media

If you have any questions about being a councillor you can also use their Facebook page and Twitter accounts.

Over the next few weeks, the council will be sharing more information about being a councillor on their website, their Facebook page and their Twitter account.

Make sure to follow them to help you decide if being a councillor is something you’re interested in and can do.

If you have any questions, then get in touch with the council on their Facebook page and Twitter account. They’ll be more than happy to help!

You can also learn more about becoming a councillor on the Local Government Association’s website.