As reported a couple of weeks ago, the local elections are taking place on Thursday 5th May. This election is for every seat in the Cheshire East Council as well as all 9 seats on Alderley Edge Parish Council.
If you hope to make a difference by influencing decisions that affect the community then you might wish to consider standing as a candidate for the Alderley Edge Parish Council.
Parish Councillors are not paid employees of the council, because the law forbids it, instead they are volunteers who are accountable to local people for things that happen locally.
Parish Councillors are tasked with bringing local issues to the attention of the council, and helping to make decisions on behalf of the local community. The Parish Council has powers to raise money through taxation (the precept) and a range of powers to spend public money.
The Government is encouraging local councils to deliver more services and play a greater part in their communities and Cheshire East is currently in the process of transferring certain functions and services to town and parish councils. They are considering the transfer of allotments, civic and community halls, Christmas lights and trees, hanging baskets, street names, bus shelters, play areas, public toilets, ponds and ditches.
Not all of these services are relevant to Alderley Edge but it clear that the role of Parish Council is likely to increase in the coming years as they gain a greater influence over local decision making.
Michael Chater, Chairman of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) said "Government is more than ever looking to local communities and our local councils to respond to very local needs and priorities. Both central and local government needs to be more effective in its communication with people and delivery of quality services. For these reasons it is important to play your part and have a say.
"This is no time to sit on the fence or offer views from the side lines. Local councils need active, interested and committed people to get involved and make a difference to the community."
For further information on the role of Parish Councils visit the National Association of Local Councils website.
If you are interested in standing as a candidate for the Parish Councillor on May 5th, email Kevin Ranshaw, Clerk of Alderley Edge Parish Council, or call him on 01625 582400.
Kevin recently attended a briefing for prospective candidates where the nomination process, timetables and other relevant details were covered. He also has some sets of nomination papers which can be collected from the Parish Council Office during his opening hours (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9.00am to 1.00pm).
If you are interested in becoming a councillor, you must be over 18 and a British national or a qualifying citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Community.
Nomination papers for prospective candidates must be submitted to the Returning Officer by 12 noon on the 4th of April.
