Oxford City Councillor role description

Councillors are elected to represent people and communities in our city. Oxford City Councillors represent areas known as wards made up of around 4500 voters. There are 3 parts to the role of a councillor:

• being a community leader and getting problems fixed
• participating in council's decision making committees
• campaigning for political change

Good qualities in a councillor include: good listening, team work and interpersonal skills; being persistent; ability to working with your local community; good at managing your own time; experience of some issues affecting our communities.

It is a part time role. Councillors might typically:

• attend approx two evening council meetings per month,
• spend 1-2 hours preparing for these meetings,
• attend community meetings and events in their ward,
• attend two Green councillor group meetings per month,
• attend local party monthly meetings when useful,
• spend 5-10 hours per week on case work and other activities.

The allowance paid by the council is £4,809 per year and a carers' allowance is available to cover child care and other care costs for times when you are carrying out councillor duties.

For candidates with disabilities, the Green Party will support you to apply for funding from the Access to Elected Office Fund when standing for election and to get any support you require from the council to carry out the role of a councillor.

Election rules allow anyone to stand if you:

• are at least 18 years old on the day of nomination and polling day
• are a British citizen, a citizen of the Irish Republic, the Commonwealth or another member state of the European Union
• have not been declared bankrupt
• have lived or worked in Oxford City for 12 months before election day.