ELECTIONS – MAY 4TH 2023 Do you want to make a difference to your local community?

Making decisions on the services and facilities provided by Hassocks Parish Council?

Representing the views of local people to ensure the community gets the right services?

Helping to improve the quality of life in Hassocks by driving new ideas?

……..HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT BECOMING A PARISH COUNCILLOR?

Parish and Town councillors have responsibility for representing your local community, delivery of services and improving the quality of life and community wellbeing.

Hassocks Parish Council is made up of 15 Councillors who meet on the second Tuesday of every month to make decisions on the work and direction of the council. The Council also has various committees including Planning, Grounds & Environment, Policy, Resources & Communications and Neighbourhood Plan Committees which meet at regular intervals.  Members can choose which Committees to sit on.  Hassocks Parish Council is a non-political body our Councillors are not affiliated to any political party.

Do councillors get paid? No, this is a voluntary role which most people find extremely rewarding.

Can anyone be a councillor? To be a councillor you need to be:

  • A UK or Commonwealth citizen; or be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland; or be a citizen of another Member State of the European Union.
  • At least 18 years old
  • An elector of the local council; or in the past 12 months occupied land or other premises in the area the local council serves (as owner or tenant); or work in the area local council serves (as your principal or only place of work); or live within three miles of the local council boundary.

What skills do I need to be a councillor? The council needs a wide range of skills and experience so you don’t need any special or formal qualifications to be a councillor.  It will help to have good communication skills; problem solving skills; team working experience; organisational skills; the ability to engage with the local community, and basic technological skills for emails.

What training will I be offered? All new councillors are provided with the opportunity to attend an introductory training course which is supplemented with an induction pack to help with the basics.  Assistance and support are always on hand from other councillors and the Clerk.

I’m interested in standing for election in May 2023, how can I find out more?

Visit Mid Sussex District Council’s website https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/.

Visit the National Association of Local Councils ‘Make a Change’ webpage www.nalc.gov.uk/elections

What is the deadline for making my decision?

MSDC will be publishing the Notices of Election on Monday 20th March 2023. Nominations open on Tuesday 21st March and close at 4pm on Tuesday 4th April 2023, which gives 11 working days for you to submit your nomination papers.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity further:  Contact our Parish Clerk, Ian Cumberworth. Tel: 01273 842714; Email: clerk@hassocks-pc.gov.uk