Become a Town Councillor
Thame Town Council is calling on residents who are passionate about their community to stand in the local elections on Thursday 4th May 2023.
The information on this page is relevant for people interested in standing as a Town Councillor at Thame Town Council. If you are interested in standing as a District Councillor at South Oxfordshire District Council, check out their website as there is a different nomination form and guidance available.
What does a Councillor do?
Councillors are the champions of their community and give residents a voice on the decisions the council makes. Becoming a councillor will allow you to make a real difference in your community by engaging with residents, local groups and businesses to find out their needs; making decisions on which projects, functions and services the council should take forward and getting involved locally to ensure the services are meeting your community’s needs.
Role Description of a Thame Town Councillor [PDF]
Council Responsibilities Graphic [JPEG]
![Council Responsibilities Graphic [JPEG]](https://www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Responsibilities-Graphic-2021-Update-01-scaled.jpg){kind=link}
How much time per week?
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) research found that councillors put aside, on average, three hours per week for council work. Experienced councillors may be up to ten hours per week. This often included attending meetings, engaging with residents and speaking on behalf of the council to other bodies.
Who can be a Councillor?
There are only a few rules to stand for election. You must be:
- British or a citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union
- At least 18 years old
- Registered to vote in the area or have lived, worked or owned property in Thame (or within 3 miles) for at least 12 months before an election.
Nomination Forms
Nomination Pack (Town Council) (Word Doc) – Completed nomination papers must be hand delivered to South Oxfordshire District Council office at Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon (OX14 3JE) between 10am on Monday 20 March and 4pm on Tuesday 4 April 2023. The offices are open 10am-4pm, Monday to Saturday during this period. It is best to submit your nomination papers as early as possible during this period in case there are any issues with your form. You can collect a Nomination Pack from the Town Hall, or download using the above link.
Sample completed & annotated nomination pack [PDF]
Guidance on applying
Guidance on standing in Local Elections
Standing as a party candidate [PDF]
How can I find out more?
- Contact any Thame Town Councillor
- Contact Thame Town Council
- Come along and observe one of our Council or committee meetings
Online Information Sessions
Free information sessions are being / have been held online for anyone interested in becoming a Councillor.
- Thursday 2 March 2023, 5:30pm – A online briefing briefing was held by South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse for candidates and agents on Thursday 2 March 2023. For those who were unable to attend, a copy of the candidates and agents presentation is available by following this link.
- Wednesday 15th March 2023, 2pm – This session is being held by the Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils, and will include a short introduction covering eligibility, skills, expectations and some basics about life as a councillor, followed by open question time. There is no need to book, just follow the link.
Useful Websites:
- Electoral Commission – The independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK.
- National Association of Local Councils (NALC) – A membership organisation and the only national body representing the interests of local (parish and town) councils.
- Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils (OALC) – Provides advice and information for local councils in Oxfordshire, and training for councillors and clerks. OALC represent local council interests through partnerships with other local and regional agencies in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
- South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) – Made up of 36 Councillors (including three who are elected to represent Thame). SODC provide services such as council tax, planning, bin collections, housing, environmental health, and leisure centres.
- Thame Town Council (TTC) – 16 Councillors who are elected to work with local residents and businesses to preserve the town’s unique heritage and dynamic future. By working together we hope to make Thame an even better place to live, work and enjoy.