Support available to candidates and councillors

For people interested in standing for election for Dorset Council please also see:

Dorset Council councillors are widely supported within their role through many different methods. These include:

dedicated support from officers including impartial advice on their area of expertise such as housing, adult social care, planning, tourism, finance and engineering projects
communications such as bulletins and newsletters from the council
ICT assistance so councillors can receive digital communications
mentoring and advice through political groups and through communicating with other councillors
access to information from other organisations such as the Local Government Association
a learning and development programme including an induction and continual development opportunities throughout a councillor’s term of office
a carer’s allowance for councillors that need to provide care for a family member while they are at committee meetings and undertaking other councillor duties.

Standing for election if you are employed

Many councillors across the UK have careers in addition to their role as a councillor. If you are in employment, you will need to discuss the time commitment with your employer. You are entitled to ask for reasonable time off for public service but your employer is not obliged to pay you for it.

Payment of allowances

Councillors do not get paid a salary but receive an allowance in recognition of time and expenses they have incurred whilst on council business. This includes the use of their home, broadband and telephone use.

Current scheme of councillor allowances

The allowances may be subject to tax implications but this depends on each councillor’s individual circumstances.

Digital access

There is a high demand from residents, businesses and other organisations for councillors to use digital technology. The ability to use ICT is becoming increasingly necessary to the role of a councillor. Councillors are recommended to have access to the internet at home. The council embraces digital ways of working and will work with any councillor who has difficulty accessing digital communications or using ICT.

Candidates

For more information candidates can:

contact the Democratic Services Team for non-political advice including the role of committees and councillors or to request a visit to the council offices
attend a committee meeting to gain an understanding of the work undertaken by the council and councillors
speak to an existing councillor about their experiences
contact a political group office if you wish to stand for a party
discuss becoming a councillor with your family and employer
discuss the main issues in your ward with community groups and with current councillors
visit the Electoral Commission’s website for guidance

Councillors with a disability

A range of support options and facilities are available for councillors with a disability. Once you become a councillor, we will work with you to overcome any barriers there may be to you being fully involved.

The council can make adjustments and offer support to accommodate a large range of disabilities, for instance, council offices have accessibility facilities such as disabled parking bays, lifts, hearing loops and microphones. Councillors can also be provided with ICT equipment or programmes suitable for their needs such as text-to-speech software, so you can access reports and participate in committees. Documents and information can also be produced in different formats.

Councillors are encouraged to inform the Democratic Services Team of any disabilities that they may have and the difficulties these may cause them whilst they carry out their councillor role. The team can then investigate any potential solutions, or advise on any adjustments that could be made.

If you are receiving any incapacity benefit or employment and support allowance then this may not be affected by being a councillor but individual cases may vary so please check this with the Department for Work and Pensions.