The Role of a Councillor and Elections

Information for Prospective Town Councillors

Gillingham Town Council is the parish authority for Gillingham Town and in 2021 had an estimated population of 11,968. The Town Council currently comprises of 18 Councillors who are elected for a 5 year term.

Gillingham is the most northerly town in Dorset and in the last twenty years, has grown particularly rapidly and been successful in attracting a variety of new industries. This is partly due to it’s accessibility to the A303 trunk road, which is only four miles away and the town’s railway station on the Exeter to London line.

The Town Council is the third tier of government after parliament, and the County Council and its legal powers are granted to it and regulated by various government acts. The Town Council supplements the provision of local government services in Gillingham and provides a range of facilities and services, while promoting and representing the town with other national and statutory bodies. For example the Town Council acts as a consultee and lobbying force with Dorset Council putting forward the wishes and needs of the local community.

The Civic Year begins in May and the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor is held in March of each year except in an election year. At the Annual Council Meeting the Mayor and Deputy Mayor Elect officially take office. The four committees are agreed and each committee vote for their Chairmen and Deputy Chairman.

Meetings & Committees

Meetings of the Full Council and committees are held in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall, commencing at 7.30pm, unless the Council decides otherwise. . Printed calendar of meetings are presented to Full Council for approval prior to the start of each Council Year.

The Town Assembly Meeting is held on the last Wednesday in April (except in an election year) in the Council Chamber commencing at 7.30pm.

The Statutory Annual Council Meeting is held on the 4th Monday in May except for the first meeting of the new Five Year Council Term when it will be the first meeting following the Local Council elections.

Representatives to Community and Local Organisations

Gillingham Town Council appoints Councillors to act as representatives to organisations and groups within the town. Representatives are normally agreed at the request of a particular group/organisation. Councillors’ involvement as representatives in the local community develops the Council’s greater understanding of the role of these organisations and groups.

The term of office for representatives is normally for a period of one year commencing from the Annual Council Meeting in May. Town Council representatives are expected to regularly attend meetings of the organisation they represent and take an active part in its operations and report back to the committee at an as or when basis.

Working Groups

Membership of Working Groups is agreed at the first meeting of the relevant committees. They will have been set a terms of reference by the parent committee.

Civic Events

Councillors are invited to attend various civic occasions throughout the civic year ranging from the Mayor Making Ceremony in May to the Remembrance Day Parade and the Annual Carol Service.

Town Council Staff

The Town Council’s executive officer is the Town Clerk Mrs Julie Hawkins who oversees a team of 16 staff.

The Works Manager leads a team of 10 grounds staff  while the office staff provide the financial, administrative, committee and full council support services plus the public reception, room booking service and the administrative support for the mayoral role and civic events.

What does a councillor do?
Applying to become a councillor.
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