Make a Difference to Your Community: Stand in the May 2023 Town Council Elections

Posted by Town Hall Staff 15 February 2023

Are you passionate about our local area? Do you want to represent your community and help shape the future of our town?

On Thursday 4 May 2023, local elections will take place across the area. Every four years, residents have the opportunity to stand for election to the Town Council and take an active role in decisions that directly impact local everyday life.

Why Become a Town Councillor?

Town councillors are the champions of their local community. As a councillor, you will help make decisions on local public services, support community projects, care for green spaces, and represent the views of local residents on key issues like planning and town amenities.

You do not need prior council experience or special qualifications to stand—what matters most is a genuine commitment to the local community, enthusiasm, and a willingness to listen to residents’ views.

Who Can Stand?

To stand for election as a local councillor, you must meet the standard statutory requirements on the date of nomination:

  • Be at least 18 years old.

  • Be a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union.

  • Meet at least one of the local residency or work criteria (such as being a registered local elector, or living, owning land, or working in the area for the preceding 12 months).

How to Apply and Key Dates

The formal nomination process will open in March 2023. Anyone interested in standing will need to submit completed nomination papers to the Returning Officer at East Suffolk Council before the statutory deadline in early April 2023.

Want to Learn More?

If you are considering standing and want to find out more about what the role involves, the time commitment, or how to obtain nomination forms, please visit East Suffolk Council Elections or contact the Town Clerk for an informal discussion.

Make your voice heard and help build a stronger community by standing for election this May!