How do I become a Councillor? - Print version

If you want to help make things better in the city, represent local people, and play a part in Coventry's future, you should become a city councillor.

For more information on becoming a councillor or who can stand please read the details below. 

• Elections to the Council are held in three out of every four years.
• Coventry is split into 18 wards, with three councillors in each one.
• Each councillor is elected by a simple majority - whoever gets the most votes - and is then on the Council for four years. 
• Councillors speak for the people in their area, listening to their problems and helping to improve their areas.
• Councillors also attend meetings at the Council House in the centre of the city, and speak up for their area. They also decide how the Council spends its money and what the most important things are for the Council and the city.

Who can be a councillor?

The easy answer is almost anyone, as long as you are:

• A British citizen or a citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union
• 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

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 politically 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 

Over 95 per cent of councillors are members of political parties, but you don't have to be a member of a political party to be a councillor. You can stand as an independent candidate, or as a group or party political candidate. 

Do I get paid?

Councillors do not receive a salary, however they do get a 'member's allowance'. These rates are set by each individual council. You can be a councillor and still have a job. Your employer is required by law to allow you to take a reasonable amount of time off work to perform your duties as a councillor. Before making a commitment to stand as councillor you should discuss this with your employer. 

More information about becoming a councillor on GOV.UK [https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/become-a-councillor].

More advice and guidance can be found on the Electoral Commission website [https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/candidate-or-agent].