Councillors' Time Commitments

Being a councillor requires commitment and hard work, but the role can be done flexibly around employment, studying, caring, and other voluntary commitments. Whilst the commitment can be challenging at times, the role is highly fulfilling, and it is worth it for what you can achieve for your community.

The amount of time you spend on your duties as a councillor is largely up to you and will depend on the different roles and commitments each councillor takes up. Cabinet members or leaders will spend more time on council business but will also receive a higher compensation for this, called an ‘allowance’.

While much of the day-to-day work of a councillor takes place outside of formal meetings, you will be required to attend some council meetings to:

• Represent community views, needs and ideas
• Help create strategies, policies and plans
• Make decisions and/or review decisions taken

Each council runs their meetings differently and meetings can be held in the day and/or in the evening. The majority of meetings at Blaby District Council are held at 5:30pm. Some meetings can now be done remotely with virtual technology, although formal committee meetings are still required by law to take place in person.

Before you consider becoming a councillor, you may want to discuss it with your family and friends to ensure that they understand that you will need their support and understanding. You may be spending a lot of your time on council business.