Who is my local councillor?

THE COUNTRY is divided into hundreds of local authorities with councillors elected to represent their community.

Many local elections due to take place in 2020 were cancelled when the coronavirus pandemic hit, with voters instead heading to the polls on May 6.

? Read our Elections 2021 live blog for the very latest updates

With more than 20,000 local councillors in England, it can sometimes be hard to keep track of who is your area's representative.

An easy way to find who your local councillor is is by popping your postcode into the government website, here.

Alternatively, head to your local council's website as it will tell you who represents which ward/ area.

How do I meet my local councillor?

One of the best way to contact your local councillor is online – and details can be found on the websites of each authority.

Members of the public can also attend council meetings and there is usually an opportunity to pose questions to representatives.

Councillors also often hold advice surgeries where people can go along to discuss problems.

Councillors can help people living in their area in a number of ways.

If you are dissatisfied by a council service, they can advise or direct you to someone who can help sort the problem.

Sometimes, they will be able to progress the case on your behalf.

Councillors also campaign on local issues, which you can put forward to them, as well supporting local partnerships and organisations.

They are also able to put forward proposals to improve the ward they represent.

Local councillors are elected for four-year terms by people living in the area.

There is no limit to the number of times they can be re-elected.

There are 343 councils in England, but not every authority holds elections at the same time.

This is because elections take place in four-year cycles, so different councils hold polls in varying years.

Some councils elect all of their councillors at the same time, while others elect half or a third of their councillors at each election.

Being a local councillor is not a full time job.

They don't receive a salary, but can claim a "member's allowance" to cover expenses.

Each council sets its own rate.

Most councillors have full-time or part-time job alongside their responsibilities as a councillor.