WANTED --- Town and Parish Councillors

Basildon Council is running a leaflet campaign to encourage people to put their names forward to stand as town or parish councillors.

With elections for all the district’s town and parish councils just weeks away, there are fears that some elections may not be contested because not enough residents are allowing their names to go forward.

Town and parish councils are the most locally based tier of government and becoming a councillor can be one of the most rewarding roles in the community.

Their powers and duties cover many areas at a local level including commenting on planning applications, providing or improving certain services and helping volunteers and charities.

Parish councils are funded through a small extra levy on the local council tax. They also have access to grants for local projects not available to district or county councils.

To qualify, a candidate has to be over 18 and be a UK, Commonwealth or European Union citizen and live or work in the local parish area.

Local democracy depends on people putting their names forward and local democracy works best when there is a choice and a vote for who should represent an area.

The leaflets are now going out in all the areas with local town or parish council (except Shotgate). These are Billericay, Great Burstead and South Green, Little Burstead, Noak Bridge, Ramsden Bellhouse, and Ramsden Crays.

Nomination papers are available now and the deadline is noon on 4 April. Polling day is 1 May. Standing for election is easy and more details are available from senior electoral administrator Helen Chapman on 01268 294351.