What, me a District Councillor?

Find out how you can make a difference in your community by standing for election

With elections due in May next year, North Norfolk District Council is running a special event later this month for anyone who is thinking about becoming a Councillor and wants to know what it involves - the good and the bad, the frustrations and the rewards.

The Prospective Candidates Evening, from 6.30 to 8pm on Monday, 30 October, will give people the chance to hear about how local government works, and to quiz current Councillors about their experience of the role in a rotation of 10-minute 'café-style', round-table conversations. Former Leader of South Norfolk Council Richard Carden will give a keynote speech.

The event has been organised with cross-party support as a way to get better representation for North Norfolk by attracting a wider variety of people to become Councillors, with a broader range of skills and experiences, so the community's wishes can be more fully understood and Councillors' decision-making can be better-informed.

The media are welcome to attend the event, which will take place at NNDC's Holt Road offices in Cromer. (Any media who wish to attend are asked to call Nick Manthorpe on 01263 516059 beforehand.)

The evening is free of charge, and does not involve any obligation to stand for election. Anyone who does decide to stand will get full briefings about the nomination and election process before May next year.

Councillor Robin Combe chairs the Member Training, Development and Support Group, the all-party Council working group which devised the event. He said: "This gathering is for anyone who's ever wanted to make a difference in their community or sort out local problems, but has never felt able to. Becoming a councillor could be the answer.

"With this event, we hope to give a warts-and-all picture of how being a councillor really means something, how you can make a difference, and how the Council depends on people just like you," said Councillor Combe. "I won't pretend it's easy, but there are huge rewards - in achieving lasting benefits for your community, and as a personal challenge."

Refreshments will be provided during the evening. Members of the public who wish to attend are asked to call Mary Howard on 01263 516047 or email:

mary@north-norfolk.gov.uk

ENDS