Waverley Borough Council needs people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities they serve to put themselves forward for election. Whatever needs changing in your local area, you could be the person to change it by becoming a councillor.
If you want to make a difference in your local community, consider standing to be a councillor. The council needs people who are capable, energetic and engaged, with a commitment to local people and a passion for change.
What are you passionate about in your local area? Do you want Waverley to be the cleanest and greenest place to live, work and visit in Southeast England? Do you want to ensure that residents receive the services that they need, when they need them? Or perhaps you want to make Waverley a welcoming place for people from all across the globe and be recognised for our outstanding urban planning and design and infrastructure?
Waverley Borough Council needs people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities they serve to put themselves forward for election. Whatever needs changing in your local area, you could be the person to change it by becoming a councillor.
Decisions made by councillors affect the lives of everyone in the area in countless ways. Representing a population of over 128,000 people across the Borough, understanding the issues and concerns they face and taking action are the most important tasks that any councillor undertakes.
Local councillors are the elected representatives of Waverley Borough Council. They are elected for four years unless they are elected at a by-election, in which case they must stand again at the next normal election for the seat.
If you think being a councillor could be for you, read on to find out more.
Waverley Borough Council is currently made up of 57 councillors who represent 29 wards in the borough. Following a review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, this will reduce to 50 councillors representing 24 wards from May 2023.
Each councillor is elected for a four-year term with the exception of by-elections.
To be a councillor, you have to stand at local elections and compete with other candidates to gain the most votes from the local electorate.
You do not have to belong to or represent a political party to stand in the elections. You can stand as an Independent Candidate or choose not to have a description to your name. If you choose to stand for a party you will need to go through their selection process before you can be put forward as their candidate. Get in touch for support with independent politics or party politics.
In order to stand at the elections, you must first get a set of nomination papers from Electoral Services at Waverley Borough Council, which will explain the nomination process. These packs are available nearer the election date. Find out more about Waverley’s Electoral Services.
Visit our Becoming a councillor section to find out what a councillor does, what skills are useful, and the next steps to take.
To become a councillor, you have to put yourself forward at local elections and compete with other candidates to gain the most votes.
Below are some of the most important steps to consider.
Find out when the next local government elections are in your area by checking with your local council.
Make sure you are registered on the electoral roll with your local council.
If you are interested in independent politics (not a political party), you can get resources and advice from the Local Government Association’s Independent Office and the Independent Campaign Corner. As an independent, you will also need to start working out your views on local issues and services.
To stand for a political party, you’ll need to be a member of the party, get involved locally and go through their selection process before you can be put forward as their candidate for election. You can find out more on each party’s website. This can take up to about a year or more, so please contact your political party as soon as you can. You can also contact the Local Government Association (LGA) political offices.
Almost anyone can be a councillor but to check that you are eligible
Use our Be a Councillor worksheets to see how you would handle some real situations as a councillor
Explore, research and keep up to date about your local area, different communities, services, issues and ideas.
Attend council meetings and local events to find out more about local government and your community.
Read the guidance from the Electoral Commission about the processes and forms to fill out to put yourself forward for election. To become nominated as a candidate at a local government election in England, you need to submit a completed set of nomination papers to the place fixed by the Returning Officer by 4pm on the 19th working day before the poll.
Contact the Democratic Services team at your council to get the necessary paperwork, find out the deadlines, and see what help they can give to submit your papers. Find your local council.
You will need to get 10 people (in the ward where you wish to stand) to sign your nomination papers.
Councillors are not paid a salary but they are entitled to receive a ‘basic allowance’, which is intended to recognise the time devoted to their work on behalf of local people in connection with council business. Each council sets its own rate. Waverley Borough Council publishes this on the Waverley Borough Council - Councillors' allowances and expenses webpage.
By law, all members of the Council are required to complete a Register of Interest Form, the details of which are published annually.
Waverley Borough Council is committed to providing councillors with advice and support for all aspects of their role. After an election, all new councillors will attend an induction programme to enable them to meet the key people who will support them in their role and attend events to familiarise them with the work of the council, the expectations of councillors and ways in which they can carry out key tasks.
Councillors are also provided with ongoing learning and development support to broaden their knowledge, skills and confidence. In the first few weeks, experienced councillors will be available to guide you in getting to know the workings of the borough council and your role within it. Democratic Services and Business Support will be your point of contact to signpost you round the council for the first couple of months.
Tablets will be issued at the reception day for newly elected councillors. We will provide a secure app for Androids and iPads that will enable you to remotely access the Council’s systems, email, calendar, contact information as well as Council and Committee papers. Remote access can also be facilitated via councillors’ own home laptops/and or tablet devices.
All councillors are expected to provide at their own expense, a private ADSL broadband connection and computer hardware, including a printer and consumables. ICT staff can assist and advise councillors but will not be able to place orders on their behalf.
Mobile phones are issued to all councillors that sit on the Executive, the Chairmen and the Leaders of the Political Groups.
An audio loop system is available in Council Chambers for people with a hearing impairment and council offices and chambers are wheelchair accessible. Councillors are encouraged to contact Democratic Services and Business Support following their election to discuss their personal needs so that reasonable adjustments can be made.
You can stand to be a councillor as long as you are:
British or a citizen of the Commonwealth. You may also be eligible as a citizen of the European Union, however the criteria has changed now that the UK has left the European Union. Please check on the gov.uk website for advice about EU citizens’ voting and candidacy rights in local elections.
At least 18 years old.
Registered to vote in the area or have lived, worked or owned property there for at least 12 months before an election.
If you are in any doubt about whether you are eligible to stand as a councillor, you should contact the electoral services team.
You can’t be a councillor if you:
Work for the council you want to be a councillor for, or for another local authority in a political restricted post
Are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order
Have been sentenced to prison for three months or more (including suspended sentences) during the five years before election day
Have been convicted of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court
Are subject to the notification requirement of or under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.