Be a Councillor
Once elected, what support will I get?
As a new councillor, you will be invited to take part in an induction programme, introducing you to the workings of the Council. Training for councillors continues throughout their term of office on a variety of relevant topics.
The professional officers working at the Council are available to assist you in any way they can, such as advice about Council procedures or problems in your ward. As all officers must be politically impartial, they cannot assist in any matter that could be seen as supporting a particular political party or pressure group.
Payments to Councillors
Councillors are not paid, but they receive a 'member’s allowance' to recompense them for time and money spent on Council business.
Two types of allowances exist for councillors:
- Basic Allowance (paid to all councillors)
- Special Responsibility Allowance (paid to those councillors who carry out special duties such as being the chairman of a committee)
Each local authority can decide the level of these allowances but are required to set up independent panels to recommend local schemes of allowances. In addition, councillors can claim for travel and subsistence allowances. A dependent carer’s allowance is also available.
Read more about Test Valley Borough Council member allowances here.