Reform UK is looking for people to stand as councillors for both the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council and Bracknell Forest Council.
But why apply to become a councillor?
Who decides what gets built, funded, and prioritised in your area?
In each of these councils, decisions affecting tens of thousands of people—and millions of pounds of public spending are made by just 41 councillors.
- What housing developments get approved or blocked (e.g. Maidenhead Golf Course, Beaufort Park, Jealott’s Hill etc.)
- What to do about budget gaps caused by the cuts in central government grants as a result of the so-called Fair Funding Review
- The level of council tax 4.99%, 7.49%?
- How council tax is spent.
- What to do about Heathrow expansion.
- Priorities for schools, roads, and social care.
- The long-term shape and direction of the borough.
These are important issues. They shape our everyday lives.
And these decisions are made by ordinary people who choose to stand.
Why this matters now
The next local elections are scheduled for May 2027.
Every seat will be contested. Every decision about the borough’s future will depend on who steps forward.
If you don’t stand, someone else will, and they will make those decisions instead. Do you trust them to make the right decisions?
What being a councillor actually means
Being a councillor means:
- Representing the residents in your ward and helping helping them solve real problems they face.
- Taking part in decisions on budgets, planning, and services.
- Scrutinising how the council is run.
- Working with other councillors to set direction and priorities.
Councils influence everything from housing and transport to social care and education.
It’s one of the few roles where you can directly affect how your local area works.
Why go for it?
People stand for different reasons. You might recognise yourself in one of these:
- You’re frustrated by decisions being made locally
- You want more say over development and change
- You have skills or experience you want to apply
- You want to represent people who feel ignored
- You want to gain real experience in leadership and decision-making
This is one of the most direct ways to turn opinions into outcomes.
How you will benefit personally?
Public service is supposed to be selfless. But becoming a councillor will help you develop as a person. You will learn a range of new skills such as leadership, communication, public speaking, decision-making, team-work, negotiation and governance. You will gain experience managing real budgets and trade-offs.
It could help with your career progression through growing your network of connections with businesses and charities. It will build your professional credibility, status and visibility.
If you are interested in a political career, becoming a councillor can be a useful step. It worked for people such as Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May.
You will see tangible results from your work.
Most roles don’t offer that combination of responsibility and visibility.
What it involves in practice
The work entails meetings, casework, engagement with residents, reading reports and making decisions.
It is not a full-time role, so you can keep your current job. Most of the meetings are in the evening. The time demands depend on what you want to put in. You would probably spend around one to two days a week on average.
Thw Windsor & Maidenhead basic allowance is £8,910 per year. The Bracknell Forest basic allowance is more generous at £10,155 per year. Both are supplemented by out-of-pocket expenses. The more responsibility you take on (e.g. chairing a committee), the higher the allowance.
The key question
If you care about what happens in your area, there are many ways to get involved.
But very few give you a vote on decisions that actually shape outcomes.
Being a councillor does.
Take the next step
We are recruiting candidates now ahead of the 2027 elections. Please get in touch now.
You don’t need to commit immediately.
Start with a conversation:
- Ask any questions you may have
- Understand what’s involved
- Decide if it’s right for you