Get interested in politics, maybe join a political party, or have an issue that makes you want to stand as an independent councillor and stand in a ward, maybe be your own and get the residents to vote for you. It is hard work canvassing, knocking on doors and helping people but if it happens it is very rewarding, especially when you make a difference.

It requires lots of time – daytimes and evenings, it not very easy juggling a job with being a councillor. Did you want to be a councillor? We’d love to hear from anyone interested in being a councillor.

I would say good for them. Be prepared to work at all times of the day but enjoy the good they are doing. If they were just thinking about it the could shodow a councillor for a week and see what they do. This would help them decide if the job was for them.

I would ask them if they had a political conviction to carry them through – you need to be strongly motivated especially when the going gets tough.