Have you ever considered becoming a local councillor?

Are you committed to the future well-being of your community?

Do you take pride in the area in which you live, and would you like to do your bit  and be involved in changing things for the better?

South Ayrshire Council has linked with Ayr College to support an initiative launched by the Scottish Government to encourage a broader range of people to consider taking an active part in local government – by becoming a local councillor.

A special “information and advice” course over two evenings is being held at Ayr College on December 6th and December 13th  to try to encourage members of the public to consider standing as candidates for South Ayrshire Council at the elections to be held on May 3, 2007.

The programme of activity on the course -  "Preparing for Election" - is expected to cover such information as:

• Why become a councilor
• How to become a candidate
• Who can stand for election
• What residential or employment qualifications are required
• What financial remuneration is involved

The action by South Ayrshire Council, in conjunction with Ayr College, follows the launch recently by the Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform, Tom McCabe, and his deputy George Lyon, of an initiative to encourage a wider range of people to think about standing for the election.

Ministers want to promote the important role councillors play in developing their communities  … as part of a wider drive to persuade traditionally under-represented groups to put themselves forward as potential future councillors.

The initiative includes a new website www.votescotland.com which offers information on standing for election as a local councillor as well as highlighting the positive aspects of working to improve peoples' lives in local communities.

Mr McCabe said:  "All of us rely on the vital local services councils deliver every single day. And councillors play a crucial role in representing their local communities and ensuring people receive the top-quality public services they expect and deserve.

"We have launched a wide range of initiatives to renew local democracy and underline the important role councillors play, including a salary package and a severance scheme to recognise the contribution of long-standing councillors.

“I hope this will help attract a wider range of people to consider standing as councillors - we need to ensure all areas of the public sector, including councils, are more representative of the people they serve."

Councillor Gibson T. Macdonald, Leader of South Ayrshire Council explained: “The elections that will be taking place next May are tremendously important.  It is vital that as many people as possible make use of their democratic right to vote.  However it is equally important that the public are made aware of the facilities available to them to become a candidate for the elections.

“The Scottish Ministers have been emphasising the important role that councillors play in local communities.  They also want to encourage more young people, women and members of the minority ethnic and business community to stand as councillors.

“As a responsible local authority, South Ayrshire Council is playing its part by working in conjunction with Ayr College to provide facilities for people to find out what is involved in being a councillor, and what steps have to be taken to become a candidate and take an active role in the election next May.

“I am sure the sessions will be of particular interest to persons who are not associated with any particular political party.”

Currently there are 1,222 Councillors working across Scotland's 32 Councils. 

An estimated 80% are members of political parties, however would-be candidates do not have to be affiliated to a political party: candidates can stand as independents.

Anyone wishing to take up a place at the “Preparing for Election”  course is invited to turn up at the New College Building, Ayr College, on December 6th prior to the 6.30 pm start of the first session.

November 2006