• Are you passionate about your local community and want to help make it a better place to live and work?
  • Perhaps you have some great ideas or concerns about specific issues?

…. then why not think about becoming a Councillor?

  • Or perhaps you know of someone who you think would make a good Councillor?

How is Appleby Council made up?

Appleby Town Council has 16 Councillor seats and currently has 2 vacancies, one in the Appleby Ward and one in the Bongate Ward. Although the next Council elections don’t take place until 2027, these vacancies can be filled at any time by a co-option process.

For further information on the co-option process for a casual vacancy and the application form use the following link: Co-option Application Form for a Casual Vacancy

Councillors are supported by the Town Clerk and other staff employed by the Council.

See a list of the current Councillors

What is Appleby Council responsible for?

Appleby Council have specific responsibilities within the community, governed by their statutory duties and powers. Provision and management of most of the major services and facilities within the community are the responsibility of our local district authority Westmorland & Furness Council.

See a list of responsibilities for Appleby Town Council

Do I need any specific experience or qualifications and how much time would I need to commit?

You don’t need any experience or special qualifications and you will be supported by the existing Councillors and can attend training once you’re a Councillor, to help you become more experienced and confident.

You just need to be over 18 and a British or Commonwealth citizen and at least one of the following:

  1. An elector of the Parish and continues to be an elector
  2. Resided in the Parish for the past 12 months or rented/tenanted land in the Parish
  3. Principal place of work in the Parish for the past twelve months
  4. Lived within three miles of the Parish for the past twelve months

The Full Council meet up every month, usually on the third Wednesday of the month. The Council also has three standing committees – Planning & General Purposes, Finance and Property – which meet every month, usually on the second Monday of the month. All meetings take place in the Council Chamber in the Moot Hall and Councillors are expected to attend meetings as regularly as possible.

Any other time commitment is up to individuals, as to what projects and they choose to get involved in.

If you think this could be you, why not get in touch for an informal chat?

Contact: Sue Gilbertson, Town Clerk on 017683 51177 Ext 3 or email clerk@applebytown.gov.uk