Why become a Councillor?
Councillors are elected representatives who make decisions on behalf of their communities and work to improve the lives of people living in the Scottish Borders.
As a Councillor, you will:
- represent the interests of local residents
- help shape policies and priorities
- make decisions on how public services are delivered
- work with communities, businesses and partner organisations
- scrutinise performance
Councillors come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. No specific qualifications are required, and we welcome candidates from all sections of the community.
Who is eligible?
You do not have to be affiliated to a political party to stand for election.
To be able to stand as a candidate at a council election in Scotland you must be:
- at least 18 years old on the day of your nomination, and
- either a British or an Irish Citizen, or
- a Commonwealth citizen or a foreign national of another country who is permitted to enter or stay in the United Kingdom
You must also meet at least one of the following four qualifications:
- You are registered as a local government elector for the local authority area in which you wish to stand on the day of your nomination
- You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination
- Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination has been in the local authority area
- You have lived in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination
To become a Councillor you must be voted in during a local government election or by-election.
Considering running for election in 2027?
If you are considering running for election in 2027 see our Local Government Election webpages for more information, updates and additional guidance as and when it becomes available.
Candidate and Councillor resources
The Improvement Service provides a range of resources to help people considering becoming a Councillor.
These resources include:
- Information about the role of Councillors
- Guidance on balancing council duties with work and family commitments
- Information on remuneration and support arrangements
- Case studies from serving elected members
Visit the Improvement Service's dedicated Local Councillor website for further information.
Further information
For further information about becoming a Councillor please contact our Election team through their online form for more information.