Could you be a Lib Dem Councillor?
What is a Councillor and what do they do?
Councillors are elected by communities to represent them and to run their local authority. Councillors represent wards or divisions which vary greatly in size across the country. They typically serve a term of 4 years.
Councillors are expected to be active in the life of their local community and act as the voice of their constituents, raising any concerns with the local council on a range of matters related to the work of the council. From waste collection to street lights, housing to social services, councillors talk to people about everything and anything. Liberal Democrat councillors represent the Party and its policies, and are an important part of their local party, feeding back to members about what is happening at the council. Councillors may also work with politicians at a regional and national level on issues of local importance which have national implications. Councillors are elected for a four- year term unless they are elected at a by-election, in which case they must stand again at the next normal election for the seat. They are often referred to as ‘members’ of the council.
The council is controlled by either the political party which has a majority of councillors or, if no one party has a majority, there may be a coalition of parties or a minority administration. A Liberal Democrat councillor is a local community champion elected by residents to one of the electoral wards in a district or town/parish area to represent them on the council.
When are the next elections?
The next elections taking place in the New Forest are the local elections on Thursday 6th May 2027. These are for New Forest District Council and for all town and parish councils in the New Forest.
There are 48 councillors on New Forest District Council. This council is responsible for services such as: bin collections, planning applications, housing, leisure centres, street cleaning, and public toilets. The council is currently controlled by the Conservatives, who hold 25 seats, with the Liberal Democrats being the second largest party on 14 seats.
There are many different town and parish councils across the New Forest. They range in size from tiny parishes, such as Woodgreen or Exbury and Lepe, to large towns, such as New Milton or Totton and Eling. Town/Parish Councils are responsible for ground-level services, such as: allotments, sports grounds, open spaces, and play parks. Certain towns and parishes run more niche services such as Lymington and Pennington Town Council running the Saturday Charter Market. Not all town/parish councils elect on political grounds. The councils that do are: Fawley Parish Council, Hythe and Dibden Parish Council, Lymington and Pennington Town Council, New Milton Town Council, Ringwood Town Council, and Totton and Eling Town Council.
Could you be a Lib Dem Councillor?
Fill out this form to express an interest in standing for the Liberal Democrats at the upcoming local elections in May 2027.