If you are passionate about your local community, we need you. Councillors make a huge difference to the quality of life of local people and how local issues are dealt with. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities they serve to put themselves forward for election.

We are searching now for Conservative Party candidates for the May 2023 District Council elections. We know it can take a while to get up to speed with local issues, so we want to get you on board now to give you plenty of time and support.

Why would I want to be a councillor?

There are many reasons why you might like to become a councillor:

• to make a difference and help shape the future of the local community
• concern about your local area and wanting to ensure the community gets the right services
• to represent the views of local people and ensure that community interests are taken into account
• concern about a specific issue and wanting to do something about it
• having good ideas for the council and community in a time of scarce resources
• to contribute your skills
• to build on other community work through a charity, voluntary group or school governing body
• to pursue your political ambitions and contribute to your community
• it can be a career-enhancing activity, allowing you to develop leadership and analytical skills and to obtain practical and managerial work experience.

Becoming a councillor is both a rewarding and privileged form of public service.

You will be in a position to make a difference to the quality of other people’s daily lives and prospects.

You will have to balance the needs and interests of residents, the council and your political party.

A councillor’s role and responsibilities include:

• developing strategies and plans for the area
• serving the community – helping with problems and ideas
• representing the community
• working with others
• decision making and reviewing decisions
• talking to the community about their needs and about what the council is doing

Councillors do this by:

• Talking to constituents by phone, email and letter, social media, home visits, drop-in sessions, street or community meetings, local events.
• Attending formal council meetings.
• Managing casework – where people come to you for help with problems.
• Working on specific council projects with other councillors and council officers.
• Representing the council on outside organisations such as charities and public bodies.
• As a member of a political party attending political group meetings, party training and other events.
• Participating in community meetings and events, such as parish council meetings or meetings about community safety and policing. Whilst councillors don’t have to go to these meetings, it can be a helpful way to find out about what’s happening in the community and also telling the community about what’s happening in the council.

Interested? Just email or call me on 07971 520663.

I look forward to hearing from you

Ray Powley

Chair for Mansfield Branch of The Conservative Party