Hoton Parish Council is asking any resident passionate about their community to consider becoming a Parish Councillor.

What does a councillor do?
Parish councillors serve the local community by engaging with local residents and deciding what services and projects the parish council will deliver to improve the quality of life for those living in the village of Hoton and elsewhere in the parish. Your current councillors find this an enjoyable and rewarding position.

What qualifications do I need?
The main job of a councillor is to participate in the collective decision making processes of the parish council. You don't need any qualifications - just commitment and enthusiasm.

How much time does it take?
The role is not time consuming, no more than a couple of hours a week on average, with meetings held on the first Monday of each month.

How can I get involved?
You do not need any specific qualifications to become a councillor, but you must be 18 or over and a UK, EU or Commonwealth citizen. In addition you must:

• be an elector of the parish; or in the past 12 months
• have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish; or
• work in the parish (as your principal or only place of work); or
• live within three miles of the parish boundary.

Parish councils are non-political so you do not have to be connected to a political party.

If you do become a parish councillor, you will have to sign up to the Code of Conduct.

What will I do?

• Attend parish council meetings (usually the first Monday in the month)
• Raise matters that the Council can consider and formally decide to take action about at meetings
• Make informed contributions which influence the debate on the business that needs to be decided at those meetings
• Participate in the council's decision making process, which in itself is subject to strict rules and guidelines
• Represent the Council externally

For more information about what being a councillor involves contact the parish clerk.