Being a town councillor offers the unique opportunity to directly contribute to your community and the future of Bovey Tracey and Heathfield. It’s a role that is both rewarding and impactful, where you can bring fresh ideas, passion, and dedication to improving your community.
Councillors are at the heart of local decision-making, ensuring that services meet the needs of all residents, and that new policies and initiatives align with the strategic vision. Councillors also have a duty of care to Council Staff and volunteers.
You don’t need prior experience. What matters is your willingness to serve the community and your commitment to making a difference. Councillors represent all people in their ward and are crucial in decisions related to local services, planning, and economic development.
It is important that the Council represent a cross section of our community and that Councillors have different levels of education, knowledge, and experience. Councillors serve a four-year term.
You can stand for election as an independent councillor or as a representative of a political party, but to do that then you must be their duly authorised candidate.
For an informal chat about becoming a Councillor please contact Mark Wells, Town Clerk. Email: info@boveytracey.gov.uk Tel: 01626 834217.
You don't need to have been a councillor before. You don't need political experieince. You can stand as a candidate if:
and meet at least one of the following four qualifications:
You can visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk for more information.
The Town Council has a programme of meetings, held to decide which activities to support within the Town Council area, where money should be spent from teh council's income, what services should be delivered and what policies should be implemented.
Full COuncil meetings are held approximately every eight weeks - all members should attend. Committee meetings (Finance Resources and General Purposes, Recreation Parks and Property and Planning and Environment) are held in between each Full Council meeting and members shoudl attend if they are sitting on that committee. Occasional task and finish groups or similar sub-committees may also take place.
The current meetings schedule can be viewed here.
Not at all. Town Councillors come from all walks of life, and you don’t need any specific qualifications to stand for election. You will receive comprehensive training and support once elected. However, certain skills can help you succeed in the role:
While being a councillor does require a time commitment, it is flexible. How much time you spend per week on council duties can vary depending on your role and responsibilities.
Town Councillors are expected to attend all Full Council and relevant committee meetings. These typically take place in the evenings and can last between one and three hours. On average the Council meets up to 6 times per annum and its various Committees meet on a fortnightly cycle. Please consult our Council Meetings page for more information.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) surveys found that councillors put aside an average of around three hours a week for the role, while stressing that actual commitments vary. Visit www.nalc.gov.uk for more information.
To stand for election to the Town Council, you’ll need to complete and submit a Candidate Nomination Paper and you must be nominated by 2 people from your ward who are on the Electoral Register. There is no charge for this. Visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk for details.
Nomination papers are available from Teignbridge District Council.
Phone: 01626 361101
Once elected, you’ll receive full training and ongoing support, including:
Some training is mandatory. All Councillors must attend induction and familiarisation sessions in May 2027, held within the two weeks following the election. Additional training is required for certain roles, such as serving on the Planning & Environment Committee or chairing a committee.
Throughout your term, you’ll be supported by the staff team, including the Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk and Finance Officer, who will assist you in your work within the Council and your Ward.
Serving as a Bovey Tracey Town Councillor is a voluntary role and is unpaid. Getting time off work will depend on your employer. It is advisable to discuss this with them before standing as a councillor.
The town council provides facilities such as Mill Marsh Park, the Recreation Ground, the Riverside Community Centre, cemetery, allotments and public toilets. It also compiles policies and plans such as the Neighbourhood Plan, supports community projects and gives the community a voice on planning matters and other issues such as policing and health services.
The town council does not provide: