Do you fancy helping to shape the future of Heanor and Loscoe?  Want to get involved in the running of our town and the policies that underpin our community life?

Here’s your chance.

Heanor and Loscoe Town Council currently has a vacancy on the Council, and the Town Clerk is inviting applications from anyone interested in joining.

To help you know more about the position, we spoke to Heanor and Loscoe Town Mayor, Cllr Longden and asked her a few questions:

How many meetings do Councillors attend?

We hold one Full Council meeting per month, on the 1st Thursday evening.  There are a number of other sub-committees but we rarely expect new Councillors in their first year of office to committ to more than just the main meetings.

What is the Term of Office?

This vacancy is to fill a current seat, which has one more year to run, therefore the successful candidate will be co-opted in by current Councillors, rather than have to go through a formal election. The whole Council will be up for re-election next May, and this seat will be included in that.

Who else is on the Council?

The Council currently consists of 21 councillors representing 3 wards, Heanor East, Heanor West and Loscoe. It is made up of two thirds men and one third women. Full details can be found on the Town Council’s website

Does the candidate need to be a member of a political party?

No, there is no requirement to be affiliated to any political party. We are looking for any and all candidates to stand, including independent ones with no affiliation. The Town Council is currently Labour run however.

Does the candidate need to live in Heanor or Loscoe?

This vacancy is to cover the Heanor East ward, but the candidate doesn’t need to actually live within that area.

The  Amber Valley Borough Council website sets out the eligibility requirements for candidacy, which states:

To be eligible for election to a County Council, a Borough Council or Parish Council, a person MUST:

• be 18 years of age on the day of nomination
• be a Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a citizen of another Member State of the European Community
• be a local government elector for the area of the county, borough or parish (as appropriate) OR
• during the whole of the 12 months preceding

(a) have occupied (as owner or tenant) any land or premises in the appropriate area; OR

(b) have had their principle or only place of work during those 12 months in the appropriate area; OR

(c) have, during those 12 months, lived in the appropriate area; OR

(d) (FOR PARISH COUNCILS ONLY) have lived within 4.8 kilometres (three miles) of the parish.

Do I Get Paid for Being on the Council?

No, I'm afraid not. All our Councillors are volunteers.

How Can People Find Out More Before They Apply?

Our Town Clerk is always happy to have an informal chat with anyone who might be interested to discuss in more detail the work of the Council and what would be expected. She also holds copies of our Candidate Pack, which she is happy to give out to anyone to take away and have a look at in their own time.

How do candidates actually apply?

If you are interested in getting involved in the Council, send your CV and a letter explaining your reasons to