IPB

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
> What can and should a councillor do?
Andy Capp
post Feb 17 2014, 12:59 PM
Post #1


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 11,902
Joined: 3-September 09
Member No.: 317



As we have endless discussions about councillors, I thought I'd ask this question. As we know, a councillor is not trained to be one, and has to 'learn' the job on the go. They are also limited in the power they wield, so: What can and should a councillor do?
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Ruwan Uduwerage-...
post Feb 17 2014, 05:11 PM
Post #2


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 390
Joined: 26-August 09
From: Newbury
Member No.: 303



One answer appears to be:

Main Duties and Responsibilities Parish Councillors (read Town for Parish)

  • To participate constructively in the government of the Parish
  • To participate fully in the formation and scrutiny of the Parish Council’s policies, budgets, strategies and service delivery including the ‘Parish Plan’.
  • To ensure, with other councillors, that the Parish Council is properly managed.
  • To keep up to date with significant developments affecting the Parish Council at local, regional and national levels.
  • To be accessible and to represent effectively the interests of the ward for which the Councillor is elected and deal with Parishioners enquiries, representations and complaints.
  • To represent the whole electorate; listen, and then represent the views of the whole community when discussing council business and working with outside bodies
  • To take an active part in the Parish Council’s arrangements to build community capacity and promote measures that contribute to the Parish Council’s Vision.
  • To attend Parish Council meetings.
  • To prepare for meetings and being properly informed about the issues to be discussed.
  • To take part in meetings and form sound judgements based on what is best for the community and then abide by majority decisions.
  • To represent the Parish Council on outside bodies to which the Councillor is appointed including the Standards Committee and Governing Bodies.
  • To maintain proper standards of behaviour as an elected representative of the people.
  • To fulfil the statutory and locally determined requirements of an elected member of a Local Authority and the Parish Council, including compliance with all relevant codes of conduct and maintaining high ethical standards, (including not disclosing confidential information and not using council resources for political purposes or for any other reason unless agreed by the Council)
  • To participate effectively as a member of any committee or working party to which the Councillor is appointed.
  • To contribute constructively to open government and democratic renewal to actively encourage to the Parish to participate generally in the government of the area and provide access to information where appropriate.
  • To uphold the Parish Council’s Standing Orders and ethical standards (ensuring that the impartiality of council staff is not compromised).
  • To produce an annual report to enhance their accountability to the public by providing details of official activities and the contribution made to the effective operation of the Parish Council.


In my opinion, above and beyond all of the above, a Councillor is a conduit/door opener to the other statutory agencies and the services that they provide.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Cognosco
post Feb 18 2014, 11:37 AM
Post #3


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 2,452
Joined: 31-October 10
Member No.: 1,212



QUOTE (Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera @ Feb 17 2014, 05:11 PM) *
One answer appears to be:

Main Duties and Responsibilities Parish Councillors (read Town for Parish)

  • To participate constructively in the government of the Parish
  • To participate fully in the formation and scrutiny of the Parish Council’s policies, budgets, strategies and service delivery including the ‘Parish Plan’.
  • To ensure, with other councillors, that the Parish Council is properly managed.
  • To keep up to date with significant developments affecting the Parish Council at local, regional and national levels.
  • To be accessible and to represent effectively the interests of the ward for which the Councillor is elected and deal with Parishioners enquiries, representations and complaints.
  • To represent the whole electorate; listen, and then represent the views of the whole community when discussing council business and working with outside bodies
  • To take an active part in the Parish Council’s arrangements to build community capacity and promote measures that contribute to the Parish Council’s Vision.
  • To attend Parish Council meetings.
  • To prepare for meetings and being properly informed about the issues to be discussed.
  • To take part in meetings and form sound judgements based on what is best for the community and then abide by majority decisions.
  • To represent the Parish Council on outside bodies to which the Councillor is appointed including the Standards Committee and Governing Bodies.
  • To maintain proper standards of behaviour as an elected representative of the people.
  • To fulfil the statutory and locally determined requirements of an elected member of a Local Authority and the Parish Council, including compliance with all relevant codes of conduct and maintaining high ethical standards, (including not disclosing confidential information and not using council resources for political purposes or for any other reason unless agreed by the Council)
  • To participate effectively as a member of any committee or working party to which the Councillor is appointed.
  • To contribute constructively to open government and democratic renewal to actively encourage to the Parish to participate generally in the government of the area and provide access to information where appropriate.
  • To uphold the Parish Council’s Standing Orders and ethical standards (ensuring that the impartiality of council staff is not compromised).
  • To produce an annual report to enhance their accountability to the public by providing details of official activities and the contribution made to the effective operation of the Parish Council.


In my opinion, above and beyond all of the above, a Councillor is a conduit/door opener to the other statutory agencies and the services that they provide.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader


I see there is no rule to ignore the wishes of the electorate to follow party lines mentioned? rolleyes.gif


--------------------
Vexatious Candidate?
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Blake
post Feb 18 2014, 02:13 PM
Post #4


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 507
Joined: 19-May 09
Member No.: 75



I think a councillor and any elected person needs to be a problem solver above all.

We have too many elected people alas who do the exact opposite and think they know best, ignoring those who put them there.

A politician gets his power from the people. Alas too many think that gives them the right to rule over people rather than represent.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Ruwan Uduwerage-...
post Feb 20 2014, 12:46 PM
Post #5


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 390
Joined: 26-August 09
From: Newbury
Member No.: 303



QUOTE (Blake @ Feb 18 2014, 02:13 PM) *
I think a councillor and any elected person needs to be a problem solver above all.

We have too many elected people alas who do the exact opposite and think they know best, ignoring those who put them there.

A politician gets his power from the people. Alas too many think that gives them the right to rule over people rather than represent.


Blake

I could not agree more with you. Problem solvers facilitate resolutions.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Andy Capp
post Feb 20 2014, 01:10 PM
Post #6


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 11,902
Joined: 3-September 09
Member No.: 317



The problem starts when the people that put you there have different opinions, views, and stake holdings.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 29th March 2024 - 08:39 AM