Archived press release

Date Published: 16/03/07

Can you picture yourself as a parish, town or district councillor championing the needs of local communities? In May this year, 644 parish council and 59 district council seats in Aylesbury Vale will be up for election. AVDC is encouraging reside...

Can you picture yourself as a parish, town or district councillor championing the needs of local communities?

In May this year, 644 parish council and 59 district council seats in Aylesbury Vale will be up for election. AVDC is encouraging residents with an interest in local matters to put themselves forward as candidates.

This year more people than ever before will be eligible to stand for election at district, town or parish council level. Because under new election legislation, the minimum age for candidates has been lowered from 21 to 18.

Commonly known as “grass roots” democracy because they are so close to the people they serve, our town, parish, and district councils play a pivotal role in every day life and people from all walks of life currently serve on them, from farmers and builders to accountants and dentists, as well as those who are retired and housewives.

The district council is in charge of such areas as waste collection, recycling, licensing, planning and benefits. Parish and town councils can provide and maintain services such as bus shelters, allotments, playing fields, community halls and litter bins.

Through attending meetings and committees with other elected members, councillors decide which activities to support, where money should be spent, what services should be delivered and what policies should be implemented.

As local representatives, councillors also have responsibilities towards their constituents and local organisations. The day-to-day work of a local councillor may include: 

• Going to meetings of local organisations, such as voluntary groups and charities
• Going to meetings of bodies that affect the wider community, such as the police, the Highways Authority, schools and colleges
• Taking up issues on behalf of members of the public and representing the interests of the local community
• Running a surgery for residents to bring up issues
• Meeting with individual residents in their own homes

Les White, Deputy Returning Officer at AVDC, said: “It is important that the diversity of various communities within Aylesbury Vale are represented on the district, town and parish councils. What we need is a good balance of people representing all ages and backgrounds.

“Becoming a town, parish or district councillor is very rewarding and gives you the chance to make a real difference to the local community. You don’t need any previous experience, just a commitment to the area where you live and a desire to serve your fellow neighbours for the good of the district.”

Local elections take place on the first Thursday in May every four years and, this year, they will be held on 3 May. The notice of election will appear on 19 March when nomination packs will be available. Nominations close at 12 noon on Wednesday 4 April.

If you are interested in becoming a councillor, you can download application forms from 19 March by visiting the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk and following the link from the homepage. For more information, or to request an information pack, please call 01296 585807 or email electoralreg@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk