Start HereWhy Stand With UsSee how ordinary people can create practical change. ParliamentStand as an MPRepresent a parliamentary constituency. Local CouncilStand as a CouncillorRepresent your ward and local community. Elected LeadershipStand as a MayorLead a council, city or region. Local OrganisationJoin a PanelHelp select and support local candidates. Practical SupportJoin a TeamHelp in ways that suit your time and skills. MembershipBecome a MemberSupport us, receive updates and vote. Financial SupportDonateGive once or monthly with clear transparency.
Represent your ward and local community

Stand as a Councillor

Take up residents’ concerns, shape local services and challenge decisions that are not working for your area.

Apply to Stand as a Councillor
Why stand as a councillor?

Change the decisions made closest to home.

Councillors represent a ward or division and help set priorities for local services, budgets and the future of their area.

You can take up residents' concerns, challenge poor decisions, improve communication and make sure the people affected by council policy are actually heard.

Local government affects everyday life.

Housing, planning, social care, roads, waste, licensing, public health, leisure and community facilities can all involve councils, although exact responsibilities depend on the nation and council type.

How you can create change

As a councillor, you can help by...

01

Representing residents

Listen to people across the ward, investigate concerns and make sure their views reach the council.

02

Shaping local priorities

Vote on strategies, services, budgets and decisions affecting the area.

03

Scrutinising decisions

Question the council leadership and examine whether promises, services and spending are delivering.

04

Leading local campaigns

Bring attention and support to problems that are being ignored or poorly managed.

05

Connecting organisations

Work with community groups, businesses, services and residents to solve local problems.

06

Explaining the council

Give residents clear information about decisions, consultations, planning and how to get help.

The role, defined simply

Represent your ward and help govern the council.

A councillor is elected to represent everyone in a local ward or division. Councillors set direction, agree policies and budgets, scrutinise performance and support residents. Council officers deliver services and provide professional advice.

“The role of a councillor is to serve and represent everyone in the ward that they are elected to.”

Official source: Local Government Association, Becoming a councillor
Parish, town or community council

The most local tier. Responsibilities and payments vary considerably.

District, borough or city council

Services can include housing, planning, waste, licensing and leisure, depending on the structure.

County council

Often responsible for services such as social care, highways, education and libraries.

Unitary or metropolitan council

Combines most principal council responsibilities in one authority.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Structures, election systems, legal rules and remuneration differ from England.

Mission and commitment

Flexible in structure, serious in responsibility.

Councillors often combine the role with employment, caring or other responsibilities, but the workload can be substantial. Committee roles, leadership positions and difficult local issues increase the commitment.

Ward casework and resident contactCouncil and committee meetingsReading reports and preparing for decisionsTraining and briefingsCommunity events and local visitsWorking with council officersDeclarations of interests and conduct rulesPublic and social media scrutiny
Why work with Local People?

Independent local judgement, backed by useful systems.

We help candidates build a clear local profile, understand the council, organise a team, develop priorities and prepare for election requirements.

01

Ward and council pages

Local information, boundaries, representatives, priorities and public contact routes.

02

Local manifesto

Turn resident concerns into clear and realistic ward priorities.

03

Team and membership

Recruit volunteers, panel support and local members without losing local control.

04

Campaign materials

Profiles, print, social content, events and practical campaign organisation.

05

Funding transparency

Show what is needed, what has been raised and how money is used.

06

Guidance and checks

Candidate standards, eligibility prompts, declarations and election preparation.

Pay, allowances and benefits if elected

There is no single UK councillor rate.

Local People does not set councillor remuneration. Arrangements differ by nation, council type, local scheme and any additional responsibility.

England

Local allowance, not a national salary

Each principal council sets a basic allowance and may pay Special Responsibility Allowances. Approved expenses can also be claimed. Check the council's current Members' Allowances Scheme.

Wales

£21,044 basic salary

For elected members of principal councils in 2026/27. Senior roles receive different amounts. Community and town council arrangements are separate.

Scotland

£26,839 basic salary

From 1 April 2026. Councillors can be eligible for the Local Government Pension Scheme and approved travel, subsistence and expenses.

Northern Ireland

Departmental allowance framework

The latest consolidated official circular reviewed listed a maximum basic allowance of £18,916 for 2025/26. A current 2026/27 determination must be confirmed before relying on that figure.

“Councillors are not paid a salary, but they are entitled to receive financial compensation called an allowance and expenses.”

Official source: Local Government Association, Becoming a councillor
Always check the exact council.

Additional payments for leaders, cabinet members, committee chairs or other senior responsibilities vary. Expenses reimburse approved costs and are not additional salary.

Before you apply

Legal rules depend on the nation and election.

The application system will identify the council type and use the appropriate official guidance.

Meet the legal age, citizenship and local qualification rulesHave no relevant disqualificationShow a genuine connection and understanding of the areaBe available for meetings, casework and community contactDeclare employment, business and other interestsComplete checks appropriate to the roleUnderstand which council tier you are seeking to joinAgree to Local People candidate and conduct standards
Could you represent your ward?

Begin the councillor candidate process.

Apply to Stand as a CouncillorExplore Councils and Councillors
Evidence and review

Sources and Last Updated

Councillor structures and remuneration differ across the UK. Local figures must be checked against the relevant authority before an application or election.

Page last reviewed1 August 2026