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Become a councillor

The Council has three roles in delivering the vision for the city:

  • Providing community leadership and advocating for the city
  • Facilitating partnerships at all levels and connecting communities
  • Commissioning services and delivering them through the most appropriate means

Plymouth councillors are passionate about their city and the issues facing local people. They care deeply about tackling the challenges facing their communities. They want to make a difference on issues such as schools, crime, transport and the environment and to create a prosperous future for Plymouth people by supporting jobs and creating homes.

Plymouth City Council holds elections three years in every four. Found out the dates of future elections.

Who can and can’t be a councillor?

If you decide you want to be a councillor, you need to put yourself forward as a candidate to either represent a political party or stand as an independent person.

You can become a councillor if you're:

  • at least 18 years old
  • British, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union
  • 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 become a councillor if you:

  • work for a council 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.

As a councillor you'll:

  • represent the interests of the constituents of the ward, dealing with their enquiries equally and without prejudice
  • liaise with other organisations and services to develop the quality of life and community well-being within the city
  • contribute to good governance through our decision making process
  • take into account the views of local people and to actively encourage community involvement in our decision making process
  • explain the reasons of how and why we make decisions.

For more information on becoming a councillor visit the Local Government Association website.

Councillor Jemima Laing, Councillor Charlotte Carlyle, Councillor Ian Poyser & Councillor Steve Ricketts talk about becoming a councillor