The next local government elections in Scotland are scheduled to take place on Thursday 06 May 2027. You may be thinking about standing as a candidate.

This page has been created to help prospective candidates understand the role of a councillor. It provides information to help you decide whether you wish to commit to the role and, if you do, what to expect.

Becoming a councillor is a great way to make a difference in the area you represent, but it is also a significant commitment.

Deciding to stand for election, whether as a member of a political party or as an independent candidate, is a big decision. You will need to consider whether you are able and willing to commit to the role. If elected, you would serve for 5 years. Most councillors work a 7-day week, either in their community or on Council business. There are no set hours.

Being a councillor is a unique role. It can be fulfilling and rewarding, but it can also be frustrating and exhausting. The role requires a significant time commitment, can affect your finances, and may have an impact on family, friends and work. The role is often misunderstood. Experience shows that first-time councillors who are not fully prepared for what lies ahead can experience difficulties once elected.

Several resources have been developed to help you understand the role of a councillor.

The Role of a councillor document sets out the main aspects of the work and the time commitment associated with the role.

We recommend that you visit the Local Councillor website for more information about becoming a councillor and the different aspects of the role.

Key considerations for anyone thinking about becoming a councillor include the criteria for standing and the rules about taking time off work. Both are covered on the website, which also provides a helpful checklist for prospective candidates.

You can also complete a short online course developed by the Improvement Service. The course supports anyone interested in or thinking about standing for election as a councillor in Scotland. It includes information and advice from current and former councillors and council officers to help you decide whether to stand and prepare for the role if elected.

As part of the Council's support for prospective candidates, we will hold an online drop-in session to answer questions about becoming a councillor at the next local election. The session will be led by Council officers, with contributions from current councillors.

The information on this page will be updated as the election approaches. Information about the election process and timescales for Falkirk Council will be added when available. 

There are 9 wards in the Falkirk Council area. At a local election, each ward elects 3 or 4 councillors, making a total of 30 councillors for the area. You can view each ward and its boundaries using the Polling Districts map. More information about ward boundaries is available from Boundaries Scotland.

For any newly elected councillor, the role can seem daunting. The Council is a large and complex organisation that provides a wide range of services. Understanding how you fit in and your role within the organisation can take time. As a newly elected councillor, you will assume the role on the day of the election count, Friday 07 May 2027.

A comprehensive programme of support will be provided for new councillors. This will begin on Monday 10 May 2027, when you will receive your laptop and mobile phone. A programme of training sessions will be developed over the next few months and posted on this page. There will be a full programme from 10 May through to the first meeting of Council in mid-May. A significant number of the sessions will be mandatory for all new councillors.

It is important that you understand the Council and your role, so most of the support sessions will be mandatory. Prospective candidates should be prepared to begin the role as soon as they are elected and to attend the support sessions that follow.