Engage Your Elected Officials

Wales is a small country which means it is fairly easy to engage directly with your elected officials.

Ask for a Meeting

All level of government officials tend to make time for one-on-one conversations with the public. Just email them and ask for a meeting.

For the best meeting:

• Prepare how you want to present your issue
• Bring relevant information
• Be respectful and concise
• Actively listen to their feedback. There may be considerations that you don’t know about and listening to your elected officials is a great way to learn how things work and how you can help the system make the best decision for you
• Follow up with a thank you note

Visit Senedd Member Elin Jones’ office is in Aberystwyth. You can knock on the door, or call 01970 624 516.

Ty Goronwy
32 Heol y Wig
Aberystwyth
SY23 2LN

Visit your MP Advice Surgeries

MP Ben Lake held usual advice surgeries that can be booked online. After the current election, the next MP will post a way to attend their advice surgeries. Just google ‘visit’ and their name.

Schedule meeting with Ceredigion County Councillors:

Reach out to them and ask for a meeting: https://council.ceredigion.gov.uk/mgCommitteeMailingList.aspx?ID=0&LLL=0

Write to your officials

Email: Reach out to Elin Jones (elin.jones@senedd.wales), Ben Lake (Ben.lake.mp@parliament.uk), Ceredigion County Councillors via this https://council.ceredigion.gov.uk/mgCommitteeMailingList.aspx?ID=0&LLL=0 , and Aberystwyth Town Council at council@aberystwyth.gov.uk .

Tips for a good letter:

• Keep it brief—1 page or less
• Be respectful—include relevant facts
• Name a call to action—be clear in what you are asking them to do
• End with thanks—ask for a reply and thank them for their time

A template:

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Postcode]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]

[Date]

Dear [Title] [Last Name],

I am writing to express my concerns about [issue]. As a resident of [your community/constituency], this matter significantly affects our local community. [Briefly explain the issue, including relevant facts and personal stories.] I urge you to [specific action you want them to take]. Taking this action will [explain the positive impact].

I appreciate your time and consideration and look forward to your response on this important matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Attend Public Meetings

It’s easy to attend meetings for your local government. You don’t even have to leave your sofa!

To attend Ceredigion County Council committee meetings online, email democracy@ceredigion.gov.uk . You can find the committees here: https://council.ceredigion.gov.uk/mgListCommittees.aspx?bcr=1 .

Aberystwyth Town Council Meetings are Mondays at 6:30 at Neuadd Gwenfrewi Queen’s Road Aberystwyth SY23 2HS​