Find your councillor
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What do councillors do
Councillors are elected by residents of the district and are responsible for making decisions about local services and budgets, such as Council Tax, on behalf of the local community. Each councillor represents a specific area called a ward and serves for a period of four years. There are 21 wards in the Wakefield district. Each ward has three councillors with one-third being elected three years in four. The work of a councillor includes:
- holding surgeries to help local people,
- supporting local organisations,
- campaigning on local issues, and
- developing links with all parts of the community.
Find out more on the Roles and responsibilities of Councillors web page.
Political make-up of the Council
The current political make up of the Council (after the 2011 local elections) is:
Labour 40 seats
Conservatives 20 seats
Independent 3 seats
Total 63 seats
More information about local elections can be found on the Electoral Services web pages
Remuneration
Councillors are not paid a salary or wages but they are entitled to allowances and expenses to cover some of the costs of carrying out their public duties. Monthly spreadsheets of these payments are available on the Councillors' Allowances and Expenses web page.
Register of Interests
The Local Government Act 2000 requires each Councillor to make a declaration of his or her interests. Interests need to be declared in relation to:
- Details of any employment or business carried out by them
- The name of their employer
- Details of any directorships
- Contracts between themselves or their company and the council
- Interests in land in the District
- Membership of other organisations, companies and societies
Councillors must also declare any gifts or hospitality which have been offered to them (whether or not they were accepted) over the value of £25.00.
For Declarations of Interest please refer to the councillor's individual entry in the database.
Standards of Conduct
All councillors abide by a Code of Conduct which sets out the standards of behaviour that are expected and requires them to declare any financial interests, gifts or hospitality that could influence any decisions they make. The Code of Conduct is overseen by the Council's Standards Committee. If you have a complaint against a Councillor please see the Standards Committee web pages for further information.
Becoming a Councillor
If you are interested in representing your local community please see the How to become a Councillor web page
Contact Committee Services
If you have any queries about councillors and what they do please contact Committee Services:
Committee Services
Room 45 Town Hall
Wood Street
Wakefield WF1 2HQ
Telephone: 01924 305014 - TypeTalk calls welcome
Fax: 01924 305164
Email: committeeservices@wakefield.gov.uk
