Local Elections 2018

Role of a councillor

If you want to make a difference to your local area, standing for election to become a local councillor could be the perfect opportunity.

A councillor's role

Councillors represent everyone who lives in the area they are elected into, and may end up working with local schools, community and residents’ groups and youth organisations to help to improve the community both in local wards and across the borough.

As a councillor, you give a voice to each individual resident, influencing what the council does and how we do it.  Councillors are unique in the range of issues they deal with and the positive impact they can have on both individuals and the local area.

Councillors not only represent their communities and residents, they also help to make and shape the policies of the council.  They do not directly manage services but they do make the decisions on what those services will be like.

Councillors attend various meetings in order to carry out their duties.   Formal committee meeting of the council are usually held in the evening.   In addition, many councillors represent the council on outside bodies (such as local charities, etc.). For most meetings you attend, there will be papers which you will need to read beforehand.

The people you represent will look to you for help in dealing with their problems, even if these do not involve the work of the council. You are likely to receive a lot of post, email and many telephone calls. Not every caller will telephone at what you might think is a reasonable hour!

Despite the hard work, being a councillor can be very rewarding.  If you are thinking about becoming a councillor, the following information may help you.

The Local Government Association website also has information about becoming a councillor.

Support and training

As a new councillor, you will be required to take part in an induction programme, introducing you to the workings of the council. This will comprise a series of training and induction events in the weeks after the election.  In addition, training for councillors continues throughout their term on a variety of relevant topics.

The professional officers working at the council are available to assist you in any way they can, such as advice about council procedures or problems in your ward. As all officers must be politically impartial, they cannot assist in any matter that could be seen as supporting a political party or pressure group.

Your commitment to the role

According to the commitments you take on, this can vary from a few hours each week to several hours each day. Those with a cabinet or chairing role will have a greater workload.

The full electoral term for councillors is usually four years (although if you are elected in a by-election during this four year term you will only be a councillor until the next full council election).  If elected, you will be a member of the council until you choose to retire or lose an election.  The next council elections are scheduled to take place in May 2018.

 

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