Becoming a councillor

Hounslow Liberal Democrats are launching a training and development programme this year for future activists, councillors and community leaders.

Working as a councillor for your locally community can be a phenomenally rewarding experience. It is also a great way to gain political experience and useful skills in community development, public speaking, debating and problem solving. New councillors can bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm, and that is good news for Hounslow council.

To be eligible you must be:

- Either on the electoral register for the council area in which you are seeking election, or have lived or worked in that council area for at least the last twelve months.

- At least 18 years old on the day you are nominated.

- A British subject or a citizen of the Irish Republic or the EU and resident in the UK.

To stand for election as a Liberal Democrat councillor - and to take part in the majority of our training programme - you must be a Liberal Democrat party member.

Hounslow Lib Dems are looking for future councillors in all Hounslow wards

What prior experience do I need?

You are not going to be expected to take direct responsibility for running the council on the first day you are elected! The main qualifications are an interest in your community and a willingness to learn. Knowledge, experience and confidence soon follows.

You will receive support from the local Liberal Democrat party, local councillors and the national Party. Hounslow Council provides training and IT support. Council officers are also there to help you. They are professionally trained staff who are employed to carry out the lawful functions and duties of the council.

To be fully qualified and effective the local party will work with you to ensure you get broad experience of the Lib Dems locally, regionally and nationally. You will also be supported in developing essential knowledge and skills around local council political and electoral processes.

What is the time commitment?

It is possible to spend much of your time on council work but the vast majority of councillors have full time jobs, families and other interests.

Unless you take on responsibility as a Cabinet member or a Chair or Vice-Chair of a committee, your work at the Civic Centre should not involve more than a few meetings a month. This will depend a bit on the number of committees/panels you serve on.

In addition to this, the Liberal Democrat Council Group will usually have a monthly meeting and you will have meetings to attend in your ward.

Will it cost me anything?

What should I do if I am interested?

Email people@hounslowlibdems.org.uk

We will then arrange an opportunity for you to meet a sitting Liberal Democrat councillor in your area, to better understand the work of a councillor and the commitment involved.

Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors

The Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors (ALDC) offers training to campaigners and councillors and you can become a member before you are elected. You will benefit from email briefings, magazines and training events. http://www.aldc.org.uk

To join now please call Tim Pickstone, tel 01422 843 785 or email tim.pickstone@aldc.org

The following links provide more detailed information:

• Skills framework for elected members

• IDeA Councillor's Guide 2007/8

• Councillor magazine

• Liberal Democrat News

• Eg magazine

• EdXcel - BTEC Level 3 in Local and Central Government

• Certified "Context of local government" training

If you logged in as a party member and taking part in the "Liberal Democrat Change Makers" training programme please follow this link to access the Extranet:

>> Training Extranet