Hampshire is divided into 74 electoral divisions. Voters in each elect a single person to represent them. Election of all members takes place at the same time, early in May, every four years. The last election was in May 1997. A by-election is held if, in the intervening years, a member stands down.
Councillors can claim expenses and allowances but receive no pay.
Everything Hampshire County Council does, every decision it makes, is done and made in the name of the County Council. It is the 74 members of the County Council who are responsible for the way services are provided and run. What happens in practice is that decisions on policy and on major issues are taken by committees of councillors and most decisions about management and operation of services are delegated to paid staff. How the County Council is organised The County Council normally meets four times a year. Perhaps the most important decision taken by the full County Council is to agree the budget which sets priorities and plans spending for the year ahead.