Standing for election at regular intervals, the councillors represent different areas, called wards. The wards are arranged so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of electors. Because some wards have larger populations they have two or even three councillors to represent the area. Each ward is made up of smaller areas, called parishes. For example, if you live in the parish of Stratton, you live in the ward of Frome Valley.

Councillors make decisions on how they should use their resources and make them available to the community. They represent local views and try to resolve problems within the local area. It is also important for them to undertake quality checks on the service they are providing.

Councillors are there to make decisions and to give help and advice on issues that have not been resolved through direct contact with your council.

Find out who your councillors are by using our find your nearest function. Alternatively, you can view a map of all county councillors or a map of all district/borough councillors.

• Christchurch Borough councillors

  Christchurch has 24 councillors.

• Dorset county councillors

  Dorset County Council has 45 councillors who are elected by the public every four years.

• East Dorset district councillors

  East Dorset has 36 councillors who are elected en-bloc every four years. The next elections will be held in 2011.

• North Dorset District Councillors

  The Council is made up of 33 democratically-elected Councillors - voted for by local people, in local elections.

• Purbeck District Councillors

  Purbeck District Council has 24 councillors. To quickly identify which Councillor covers a particular ward, you can use the Find Your Nearest facility.

• West Dorset district councillors

  West Dorset District Council has 48 councillors who are elected by the public every four years. They represent 33 different wards of West Dorset. The last district council elections took place on 3 May 2007.

• Councillors - allowances

  Councillors are entitled to certain allowances per year. These include a basic allowance, as well as allowances which cover subsistence, travel and special responsibilities, such as chairmanship of committees.

• Councillors - declaration of interest

  All county and district councillors are required to list their financial and other interests in a register.

• Complaints about councillors

  How to let us know about any problems or complaints about the services we provide or the treatment you have received from us.