AN information campaign is being run to encourage people to stand for election to become town councillors in St Austell.

The town council has been publicising the role councillors play in St Austell ahead of the local elections on Thursday, May 1.

Nomination packs for the election will be made available from Friday, March 14. Packs will be provided for people to pick up from St Austell Library and there will be an online version on Cornwall Council’s website.

The town council says: “Could you be a St Austell town councillor for 2025-2029? Do you want to make a difference in your community? Here is your chance!

“To be a local councillor you must be at least 18 years old, be a British citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights.

“You must also meet at least one of the following four qualifications: you are and will continue to be registered as a local government elector for the parish in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards; you have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the parish area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election; your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the parish area; you have lived in the parish area or within three miles of it during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

“Councillors are volunteers but costs for approved travel and subsistence outside of the parish can be reimbursed.

“Councillors normally have one or two meetings per month which generally last between one and two hours (6pm to 8pm on a Monday).

“The town council has 20 councillors spread across three wards: Bethel and Holmbush (seven councillors), Poltair and Mount Charles (six councillors) and Central and Gover (seven councillors).”

Some of the housing in the Carclaze area of the town falls outside of the town council boundary.

The council, which has its offices at the Stable Block at Poldhu House, says that included among the many responsibilities councillors have are speaking at council meetings on behalf of the community, raising issues for discussion and action.

Councillors are expected to make informed contributions to decisions made at council meetings and to help identify a local vision for their area.

They will work to improve the quality of life and the environment in the town and set high standards for those delivering services to the community.

The council is involved in the regeneration of the town centre, owns and manages 17 parks and open spaces, and leases and manages two car parks, the House youth centre and the town library.

The council also maintains grass verges, roundabouts, closed cemeteries, footpaths and a number of parcels of land under an agreement with Cornwall Council.