Reason to become a Councillor
There are many reasons why people decide to become a local Councillor. Some individuals stand because:
- They are interested in their local area and have a desire to ensure that their local community is provided with the services needed
- They want to ensure that local community interests are taken into account in the Council’s decision making and are committed to representing local people’s views
- They want to be involved in shaping the future of the local community
- They want to make a difference, and are concerned about particular issues in their community
- The role is an extension of what they are already doing as they are active in a political party, trade union, or community group, and they see the next steps as becoming a Councillor
- They want to pursue their political beliefs
- They want to contribute their business or professional skills
- The have a desire to support underrepresented communities
How to stand for election
To stand for election, the following criteria must be met on the day your nomination is submitted. You must be:
- 18 or over
- A British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights
- Currently registered to vote in the Redcar and Cleveland area, or for the whole 12 months prior to the day of nomination have either, worked, lived or owned property in the area
You cannot stand if:
- You are employed by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (this includes employment within some schools)
- You hold a politically restricted post for another Local Authority
- You are the subject of a bankruptcy restriction
- You have served a prison sentence (including suspended sentences) of three months or more within five years prior to the election
- You have been disqualified under any legislation relating to corrupt or illegal practices
- You are subject to the notification requirement of or under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Following the publication of the Notice of Election, you will need to complete a nomination pack, which will be available from the Electoral Services Team.
To be validly nominated you will need 2 supporters. These people are referred to as your proposer and seconder.
Your nomination pack must be delivered by hand to a specified location, by the statutory deadline; these details will form part of the Notice of Election.
If you are not confident that your forms have been completed correctly, the Electoral Services Team offer an informal checks service prior to submission of your nomination. Please email elections@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk to arrange an appointment.
Note: In 2026 the Council passed a resolution requiring that all councillors are required to obtain a self-funded basic Disclosure and Barring Service (‘DBS’) check and that those councillors sitting on committees undertaking functions relating to children and adult social care services will require an Enhanced DBS check.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any qualifications or experience to stand?
No, you do not need any formal qualifications or prior experience. You do need to be willing to attend meetings and read documents such as reports and be willing to be involved in discussions, which at times, can be difficult or sensitive in nature.
Are councillors paid?
Borough Councillors do not receive a salary, but are entitled to a basic allowance, which is currently £11,135.67 a year. Councillors who agree to take on special responsibilities may be entitled to additional allowances.
Parish Councillors do not normally receive allowances.
How much time would I have to commit?
Most Councillors commit an average of 10 to 30 hours per week to their duties. This ordinarily includes preparation for meetings, attending meetings and responding to residents’ queries.
If you work, your employers must allow you to take a reasonable amount of time off work to perform your duties, however this is dependent on the effect of your absence on their business.
More information about the role and how to stand
A booklet containing all the information you need to decide whether to stand for election is available to download below. Alternatively, you can request a copy to be emailed to you by contacting elections@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
You are also invited to attend one of our ‘Be a Councillor’ events, which will provide prospective candidates with more information about the role of a Councillor, how Councillors fit in the Council structure and the different types of Council Meetings. There will also be the opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have. These sessions will take place at Redcar Civic Centre, Ridley Street, Redcar, TS10 1TD on:
- Thursday 12 November 2026, 5 - 7pm,
- Monday 7 December 2026, 3 - 5pm, and
- Tuesday 12 January 2026, 10am-12pm
Please email the Electoral Services Office on the above email address to advise of your intention to attend.
The number of elected members from diverse backgrounds is growing all the time, with more and more people bringing their experiences of disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and religion into their roles and reflecting the communities they serve.
The Local Government Association has developed a Case Studies webpage, to introduce individuals who have been elected after standing for a variety of reasons. These case studies include a visually impaired Councillor, an individual who served on their local Parish Council for several years before deciding to stand for the Local Authority, a Councillor who is a gay Muslim, and other individuals who have chosen to share their considerations prior to deciding to stand for election.
These case studies can be accessed via the following link: www.local.gov.uk/be-councillor/case-studies