Events for those considering becoming a councillor in West Suffolk

Residents considering standing for election as a district or borough councillor in May can find out more about what it involves at two events next month.

St Edmundsbury Borough Council will hold the first event on February 11 at 6pm at West Suffolk House, in Western Way, Bury St Edmunds.

Forest Heath District Council will host the second on February 23 at 6pm at its headquarters , in College Heath Road, Mildenhall.

Cllr David Ray, St Edmundsbury’s cabinet member for resources and performance, said: “You will become a public figure – everything you do, from your achievements to your failures, to your comments in public including on social media, may come under media scrutiny.

“One day you may be everybody’s friend galvanising your residents to achieve their ambition, the next you will be making a budget decisions which may leave you unpopular with certain members of your community. It is a commitment that you should go into with the full support of your family as it will inevitably impact on your home life.

“The rewards in achievement, however, are great and I would thoroughly recommend it.”

Candidates can stand either as an independent or enquire with their preferred political party about becoming one of its candidates.

A candidate needs 10 nominees from the ward. Nomination papers will be available from www.westsuffolk.gov.uk from late February or email elections@forest-heath.gov.uk or elections@stedsbc.gov.uk

They must be completed and returned by 4pm on April 9.

Visit https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Council/Voting_and_Elections/howtobecomeacouncillor.cfm