The role of councillors, employees, and how decisions are made

Councillors, often referred to as members - meaning members of the Council, are elected by the people of South Tyneside, to oversee the running of the Borough on their behalf.

It is important to note that councillors are not employees of the Council and are not paid a salary. Many have full-time jobs and their Council work is done in their spare time.

Councillors are the elected representatives of the people and they have to put themselves up for re-election after each four-year term they serve, if they wish to remain a councillor.

There are a total of 54 councillors in South Tyneside, with 3 representing each of the 18 wards that the Borough is split into.

Councillors do not receive a salary or wage from the Council, but they are entitled to receive a members allowance for the work they do.

All 54 councillors sit on the Council for as long as they remain a councillor. Every councillor serves for a term of 4 years before having to either put themselves up for re-election or retire.

Find your Councillors.