RESIDENTS in Buntingford are being urged to stand as candidates in this year s town council elections. Corina Helm, of Herts Association for Parish and Town Councils, spoke at Buntingford Town Council s annual town meeting about the benefits of becoming a

RESIDENTS in Buntingford are being urged to stand as candidates in this year's town council elections.

Corina Helm, of Herts Association for Parish and Town Councils, spoke at Buntingford Town Council's annual town meeting about the benefits of becoming a town councillor.

She told residents: "Town councils are there to represent you.

"Your role as a town councillor is to represent the needs of the community.

"As a councillor you're not just there to talk - you bring ideas and knowledge, and make serious decisions."

She said town councillors were elected to provide a vision for the community.

"Most people get a huge amount of satisfaction from that," she said.

"Councillors have lots of powers, so you have a huge opportunity to do things where it matters, and have your voice heard.

"When you get people determined, they can achieve an enormous amount."

There are currently 115 parish and town councils and 1,000 town and parish councillors in Herts.

You can be a candidate if you are over the age of 18, on the electoral register, or have lived or worked in the town, or within 4.8km, for at least the past 12 months.

Nominations for this year's town council election, on Thursday, May 3, close at noon on Wednesday, April 4.

Nomination papers are available from the town council at the Manor House, Buntingford.

- In the last two town council elections, there have not been enough candidates to hold a poll, and this led to members being co-opted.