What would you change about Frome? What do you care about? And have you ever wondered whether you could help make things better?
In May 2027, Frome will elect its town councillors for the next four years. At Independents for Frome (IfF), we’re starting to look ahead and are keen to hear from people who want to play a part in shaping the future of our town.
You don’t need to be a politician. You don’t need years of experience or all the answers. You just need to care about Frome, be curious about what’s possible and be willing to work with others to make a difference.
Could you be one of Frome’s next town councillors?
Why become a councillor?
Being a town councillor is an opportunity to turn the things you care about into action.
As a councillor, you can:
Make a practical difference. Help shape local services, projects and decisions that affect the places and people around you.
Stand up for your community. Listen to residents, champion local concerns and make sure different voices are heard.
Help shape Frome’s future. Contribute ideas, challenge assumptions and work towards a town that works for everyone.
Learn new things and develop your skills. Councillors bring experience from all sorts of backgrounds, and the role can help you develop your confidence, knowledge and leadership.
Work with people who care. Collaborate with fellow councillors, council staff, community groups and residents to get things done.
You don’t have to be an expert in planning, finance, the environment or local government. You can learn along the way, and you’ll bring your own experience, perspective and skills to the role.
If you care about Frome, you have something to contribute.
Philip, Andy J, Sara, Steve, Carla, Lyndsey, Polly and Grace out campaigning for the Park Ward By-Election in 2026.
Steve, Fiona, Lyndsey, Peter MacFadyen, and Philip campaigning on Scott Road during the Market Ward By-Election in 2025.
Philip, Sara, Steve, Nick and Andy J at the Cheese and Grain.
Polly and Sue from the Frome Skatepark Project out fundraising for the new park!
Why stand with Independents for Frome?
IfF grew out of Frome’s community. We’re local residents who came together because we wanted to make a difference to the place we call home.
We believe decisions about Frome should be based on what’s best for our community — without party politics or national agendas getting in the way.
That means:
Local priorities come first. We focus on what matters to Frome, not what a national party tells us to think or how to vote.
Independence matters. Our councillors can make up their own minds, ask difficult questions and reach decisions based on the evidence and what they believe is right for Frome.
Different perspectives make us stronger. We welcome people with different backgrounds, experiences and ideas. You don’t have to agree with everyone on everything to be part of IfF.
We believe in working together. Good local government means listening, debating, being open to challenge and finding practical ways forward.
We want local democracy to be for everyone. You shouldn’t need to be part of an established political network or have previous political experience to get involved.
We’re proud of what IfF has achieved in Frome, but we know there is always more to do. The 2027 elections are an opportunity to bring new people, fresh ideas and different experiences into local government.
We want to build a team that reflects the community it serves.
What does being a town councillor involve?
Being a councillor is rewarding, but it is also a commitment.
You’ll need to make time to read papers, attend meetings, take part in discussions, listen to residents and work through sometimes complicated decisions. There will be occasions when you need to balance competing priorities or make difficult choices.
Being a town councillor is essentially a voluntary position, but there is a small allowance available to compensate for care costs and lost earnings. The current allowance is around £1,300 a year.
The role involves working constructively with other councillors and council staff, asking questions, considering evidence and taking responsibility for the decisions you make.
You don’t need to know everything before you start. What matters is that you’re willing to learn, prepare, listen, work as part of a team and give the role the time and attention it deserves.
If you’re interested but unsure whether you could manage the commitment alongside work, family or other responsibilities, please talk to us. We’d rather have an honest conversation about what the role involves than have you rule yourself out before finding out more.
Fiona, Anne and Steve at a Meet the Councillors in the Cattle Market Car Park.
Lyndsey, Steve, Anne, Philip, and Fiona at a Meet the Councillors in Victoria Park.
How to apply
We want the process to be straightforward and welcoming. To apply, simply email your answers to the four questions below, along with a short bio, to fionabarrows@gmail.com.
You can send your answers in writing or as a video — whichever works best for you. There are no trick questions, and we’re interested in hearing your thoughts in your own words.
1. Why are you interested in standing as an IfF councillor?
2. What do you love about Frome, and what would you like to change?
3. Tell us about something you've helped make happen.
4. What do you think makes a good councillor?
Before applying, please check that you meet the eligibility requirements to stand as a town councillor. You can find the full criteria on the Electoral Commission’s website.
We’re recruiting on a rolling basis, so you can express your interest at any time. Our first application deadline is Friday 13th November 2026, but we’ll continue to consider applications after that date. Once we’ve received your application we’ll be in touch to discuss next steps.
If you’re interested but not quite sure yet, that’s absolutely fine too. Get in touch for an informal chat. You don’t need to have everything figured out before taking the first step.