Interested in being a Councillor?

Becoming a County Councillor in Pembrokeshire (2027–2032)

Make a difference in your community

Standing as a County Councillor is an opportunity to represent your local community, influence important decisions and help shape the future of Pembrokeshire.

Councillors sit at the heart of local democracy, ensuring that the voices of residents are heard and reflected in council decision-making.

What does a County Councillor do?

As a County Councillor, you will:

Represent the views, needs and concerns of local residents
Attend Full Council and Committee meetings
Help shape policies, services and strategic decisions
Work with council officers and partner organisations
Scrutinise decisions made by the Authority and hold them accountable

Key areas of decision-making

Councillors contribute to decisions across a range of important services, including:

Planning and development
Education and schools
Social care services
Local public services

Examples of impact

Approving or rejecting planning applications
Setting budgets and council tax levels
Improving local services such as waste collection or fixing potholes

Who can become a Councillor?

To stand for election in Pembrokeshire, you must:
Be at least 18 years old
Be a British citizen, qualifying Commonwealth citizen, EU citizen, or eligible foreign citizen
Meet at least one of the following:

Be registered as a local government elector in the area
Have lived in the local authority area for the previous 12 months
Have worked in the area for the previous 12 months
Have occupied land or property in the area for the previous 12 months

Important considerations

Restrictions may apply if:

You are employed by the local authority in certain roles
You hold a politically restricted post
You are subject to certain legal or financial restrictions
You have recent serious criminal convictions

If unsure, candidates should seek professional or legal advice before submitting nomination papers.

How to stand for election

The next local government elections will take place on 6 May 2027.

Steps to becoming a candidate

Check your eligibility
Register as a candidate by completing nomination papers via Elections and Voting webpage
Decide how to stand:

As a member of a political party
As an independent candidate

4. Campaign in your community to gain support from voters

Pay, support and commitment

Allowances

Councillors receive a basic annual salary (currently over £20,000*)
Additional payments may be available for senior roles such as Cabinet Members or Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs
Disabled candidates are also eligible for the Access to Elected Office Fund Wales, which you can find more information about here - Access to Elected Office Fund Wales - Disability Wales (External website)

Time commitment

The role is flexible, with hours varying week to week, depending upon whether you sit on Committees or hold a senior position
Many Councillors work full-time or have other working commitments alongside their role
Time commitment can include attending meetings, reading agendas and community engagement
Outside of meeting commitments, you can choose how you balance your time between work and Council duties – check with your employer to see what arrangements can be made
Hybrid working is an option for those who cannot attend in person meetings, using a combined system of Microsoft Teams and Public-i software

Support provided

Training and guidance from Democratic Services is provided throughout your term, with sessions ranging from public speaking confidence to how to chair meetings effectively
Support can be provided from the Elections Team during the nomination process
Digital equipment (eg. laptop) to assist you with your role and giving you access to a unique email address

Diversity

Getting Ready to Stand - Register — Elect Her (opens in a new tab)
Combatting Racial Discrimination in Wales | Race Equality First (opens in a new tab)
Shout Out UK - The home of political literacy and youth voice (opens in a new tab)
Welsh translation is available for our meetings and we encourage Welsh speakers to contribute in Welsh if they feel comfortable doing so

Why become a County Councillor?

Benefits of the role

Make a real difference: Influence decisions that impact local people and services
Represent your community: Be a voice for residents and champion local priorities
Develop new skills: Gain experience in leadership, decision-making and public service
Build networks: Work with officers, partners and other elected members
Flexible role: Can often be balanced with work, family and other commitments
Councillors come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring diverse perspectives, helping to ensure inclusive and representative decision-making.

Find out more

For further guidance, key dates and support:

Democratic Services

Advice on the councillor role and ongoing support

democraticservices@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Electoral Services

Information on the nomination process and electoral requirements

electoralservices@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Council Information