The local elections are taking place on Thursday 5th May for every seat in the Cheshire East Council and also for the new Wilmslow, Handforth and Styal parish councils.
Wilmslow will have fifteen councillors serve on their parish council, whilst Handforth and Styal will have seven councillors each, all of whom will serve a 4 year term of office.
If you hope to make a difference by influencing decisions that affect the community then you might wish to consider standing as a candidate for the first Wilmslow Parish Council.
Parish Councillors are not paid employees of the council, because the law forbids it, instead they are volunteers who are accountable to local people for things that happen locally.
Parish Councillors are tasked with bringing local issues to the attention of the council, and helping to make decisions on behalf of the local community. The Parish Council has powers to raise money through taxation (the precept) and a range of powers to spend public money.
Leader of Cheshire East Council, Wesley Fitzgerald, said: "This is an important time for Handforth, Styal and Wilmslow. This authority is always looking at ways to give the people of Cheshire East more choice and control over services and resources. The creation of these parish councils will allow elected parish members to be able make decisions on all manner of locally important services. The powers of parish councils can extend to the provision of allotments, bus shelters, verges and street lighting.
"Parish Councils can also get involved with the maintenance of community transport schemes, sports facilities and tourism – this is something all the new authorities will need to discuss. I believe they have a bright future as the voice-piece of the local community."
The Government is encouraging local councils to deliver more services and play a greater part in their communities and Cheshire East is currently in the process of transferring certain functions and services to town and parish councils. Whilst not all of these services will be relevant to Wilmslow it is clear that the role of Parish Councils is likely to increase in the coming years with them gaining a greater influence over local decision making.
Michael Chater Chairman of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) said "Government is more than ever looking to local communities and our local councils to respond to very local needs and priorities. Both central and local government needs to be more effective in its communication with people and delivery of quality services. For these reasons it is important to play your part and have a say.
"This is no time to sit on the fence or offer views from the side lines. Local councils need active, interested and committed people to get involved and make a difference to the community."
For further information on the role of Parish Councils visit the National Association of Local Councils website.
If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor email Electoral Services or call them on 0300 123 5016. You must be over 18 and a British national or a qualifying citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Community.
Nomination papers for prospective candidates must be submitted to the Returning Officer by 12 noon on the 4th of April.
