So You Want to Be A Councillor?

Orkney Islands Council is holding two online sessions next week aimed at helping local people interested in standing in the Council elections in May.

‘So You Want to be a Councillor’ will cover the process for standing for election and the role of an elected member of the Council, including the extensive support and training that is available to successful candidates.

Attendees will be able to speak to Councillors to get a first-hand perspective on what it’s like to serve on the Council.

Officers from the Council’s elections team will also be there to describe the steps you need to take to get your name on the ballot paper and introduce the support that is in place to help you settle into the role if you do go on to be elected.

Councillor John Richards will be speaking at the online sessions – John was elected in 2012 and has served two terms as a Councillor – which has included chairing the Council’s Monitoring and Audit Committee.

He says serving the Orkney public as an elected member is a great privilege:

“You really do have the opportunity to help local people and be part of the wider picture of championing our community in other arenas too, whether that is with Scottish and UK governments or with business and industry.

“You do not need to be from any particular walk of life – being a Councillor is for everyone to consider.

“And you are not thrown in the deep end – new Councillors are led through a thorough induction process and my own experience is that there is always someone within the Council willing to help guide you with any aspect of being a Councillor that you are unsure of.

“There are of course times when you will be working hard to do your best for the community – but the rewards are immense for anyone who has the Orkney community at heart.”

The 90 minute So You Want To Be A Councillor sessions are:

•    Wednesday 9 March at 7pm : EventBrite Link

To register for a session use the link to EventBrite or contact OIC Elections Manager Fiona Ratter at fiona.ratter@orkney.gov.uk