COUNCILLOR
ABOUT
Councillors are elected to the local council to represent the residents in the local Parish, Town and or District Ward/Ward's and their local community.
They’re expected to be active in their local community and act as the voice of their constituents, raising any local concerns within the Council on a range of matters related to the work of the Council. It’s time-consuming but rewarding and you can make a real difference in the lives of the people in your community.
The role of a councillor is a broad and varied one. We hope to give you a clear overview of the sorts of things you are likely to have to do as a councillor, the impact you can have, and the key duties you’ll be expected to undertake in your role.
STANDING AS A COUNCILLOR
Standing up for local residents
One of the most important aspects of any councillor’s job is standing up for local residents. Councillors will be expected to host weekly surgeries to ensure that you are hearing concerns from your constitutents and taking action on problems in the area. Another key aspect of standing up for local residents will be dealing with casework and acting as an advocate for residents. These issues will range from those concerning housing benefits to anti-social behaviour in the area.
Developing better services
In the council chamber, a councillor's work will focus on a number of different aspects, including ensuring quality public services are provided by the council, participating in community planning, and seeking improvements for residents around a number of important areas. These objectives can be achieved through your councillor's work on scrutiny panels, helping create council policy and providing leadership, and engaging with the community.
Delivering local change
Councillors will work with community groups and local residents to ensure that the Council delivers improvement and change in the local area. Community groups are part of the fabric of the area and it is important that councillors maintain a good working relationship with them.
KEY COUNCILLOR DUTIES
On the local council
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To attend the full council, the council executive, and/or overview other committee meetings as necessary
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To monitor performance against targets in all areas of the council activity
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To engage with local residents to consult them, feedback on council activity, take up their concerns as appropriate and be their voice in the council
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To contribute effectively to the work of the Council.
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To help to decide service priorities and participate in agreeing and setting a budget, in line with cross-party and other independent councillors.
Key duties within the community
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To develop links with all parts of the community e.g. visiting schools, meeting local businesses, attending tenants’ meetings, visiting local projects and community groups
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To conduct regular walkabouts in the ward to identify issues of concern and tackle nuisance e.g. fly-tipping, graffiti, abandoned cars
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To promote and represent the Council in the local community and on community bodies (e.g. school governing bodies, residents associations)
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To conduct regular surgeries to allow constituents to raise issues of importance or personal concern with their elected representatives
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To take action on issues raised by constituents and lobby for resources for the ward within the constraints of the group’s overall priorities and financial strategy
for the Council -
To attend local community events on a regular basis
