Did you know that Shaftesbury Town Council currently have 12 councillors serving its residents, but that this number will rise to 15 next year due to an increase in the town’s population?
Based on the evidence currently available, Dorset Council considers that a community governance chance would:
- Help to better reflect the local identities and interests of the Shaftesbury community
- Help to secure a more effective and convenient governance of the area.
Furthermore, the current governance arrangements for the Grouped Parish Council do not achieve electoral equality, and it is the Government’s Guidance that “it is not in the interests of effective and convenient local government either for voters or councillors, to have significant difference in levels of representation between different parish wards”. Dorset Council therefore recommends a change to councillor numbers.
Elections will take place in May 2024, so we are looking to recruit passionate people who care about their community and who want to make a difference.
We will be holding a New Councillor Event on Tuesday 12th September between 6pm-8pm at the Town Hall for anyone interested in becoming a Shaftesbury Town Councillor. During this event you will be able to find out more about what being a town councillor means, what’s involved and how much of your time you need to commit. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
No prior experience is necessary, but you must live in Shaftesbury, feel a deep connection with the town and its people, and be motivated to enact positive change. It is also important that you are comfortable working as part of a team and working towards shared goals.
We are proud to be a member of the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and National Association of Local Councils (NALC), and are one of 1,323 councils to have signed their Civility & Respect Pledge, meaning that we are committed to conducting ourselves in a professional, civil and respectful manner. We have also signed up to the Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles), which are the basis of the ethical standards expected of public office holders.
Whether you are seriously considering becoming a town councillor or are simply curious to find out more at this stage, please come along to this event.
Please RSVP if you are attending, so that we can ensure we have sufficient refreshments and handouts.