In local government Liberal Democrats are working hard for local people, standing up for our communities and making sure everyone knows the difference the Lib Dems can make. As Lib Dem councillors we are proud to serve our communities and set high standards for ourselves. We are part of shaping the future of our communities, villages, towns and cities. We also are hugely important in supporting and upholding the principles of liberal democracy in action. Local government is undergoing huge changes and challenges. It is more important than ever that Lib Dems are there to remind everyone that local government is there for local people. Representing local people and campaigning with them is what we do best.
You may already be a campaigner, community activist, involved in your local church or mosque, or a local school governor. You might help to deliver leaflets or organising events. If so, you already have a great basis for taking up public office and becoming a Lib Dem councillor. But ultimately, if you really care about your area, and want work to make it the best place it can be, becoming a Lib Dem councillor could be for you.
In our area there are three tiers of local authority – county, district and town or parish. Each has different responsibilities, West Sussex County Council is social care, highways (so pot holes), education, children and families, libraries, etc. Download the free West Sussex app from your app store to report potholes and other problems. If you browse the relevant council websites, review committee papers and minutes all available on line, scrutiny and planning meetings, details of planning applications are online at Mid Sussex Council – for major planning applications the design and access statement and submissions from interested parties. Mid Sussex District Council is responsible for planning, refuse collection, housing, leisure; and Burgess Hill Town Council supports our local community, the town centre, allotments and the burial ground.
The current 2021 elections are for the County Council so prospective candidates have already been selected. An allowance is paid to councillors so this should be treated as a part time job, much of the work is flexible other than attendance at council meetings (although you have a statutory right for your employer to give you time off) but the responsibility is as much putting forward the views of your area, dealing with casework and representing the council. Before you become a councillor you need to become a campaigner, there is much you can do as a concerned member of the public, sign up for the appropriate council newsletter, respond to consultation exercises, planning applications and report issues with specific potholes and other issues directly to the council as well as raising these with elected member.
To become a councillor, you need to be elected, usually as a member of a political party, although possibly as an independent but as a councillor you should be part of a network so acting alone makes it significantly harder. There will also be opportunities over the next two years to become a town councillor or district councillor. Joining a political party will give you the opportunity to become involved in campaigning and to speak in more detail to local councillors. Each party will have a support network for campaigners and councillors, for example https://www.aldc.org/ .
Becoming a local councillor:
Central and South Mid Sussex County Local Committee – a local committee of West Sussex County Council:
Mid Sussex District Council – details of meetings
Burgess Hill Town Council