Councillor attendance Options

[Richard Garvie]

Since the May elections, twelve elected members have attendance of less than 70%, including three executive members.

Alan Law - 68%
Joe Mooney - 33%
Keith Chopping - 67%
Emma Webster - 57%
Dave Goff - 67%
Virginia Von Celsing - 69%
Billy Drummond - 33%
Julian Swift Hook - 46%
David Holtby - 53%
Marcus Franks - 50%
Mike Johnston - 50%
Alan Macro - 69%

Adult Social Care is a complete disaster, and the Exec member has only attended 33% of meetings he should have attended. Finance is also a weak point for the council, and that member has an attendance record of 67%. Can we conclude that poor attendance = poor departmental performance?

[NWNREADER]

Since the May elections, twelve elected members have attendance of less than 70%, including three executive members.

Alan Law - 68%
Joe Mooney - 33%
Keith Chopping - 67%
Emma Webster - 57%
Dave Goff - 67%
Virginia Von Celsing - 69%
Billy Drummond - 33%
Julian Swift Hook - 46%
David Holtby - 53%
Marcus Franks - 50%
Mike Johnston - 50%
Alan Macro - 69%

Adult Social Care is a complete disaster, and the Exec member has only attended 33% of meetings he should have attended. Finance is also a weak point for the council, and that member has an attendance record of 67%. Can we conclude that poor attendance = poor departmental performance?

Or that the elected member spends a lot of time in the Department during the working day?
As a citizen, I think below 51% should be covered in standing arrangements for reporting. That way the member has to report to the electorate, not his Party hierarchy

[Richard Garvie]

Or that the elected member spends a lot of time in the Department during the working day?
As a citizen, I think below 51% should be covered in standing arrangements for reporting. That way the member has to report to the electorate, not his Party hierarchy

I'd go for that. What is the minimum threshold for attendance before a councillor must resign?

[NWNREADER]

I'd go for that. What is the minimum threshold for attendance before a councillor must resign?

Surely you know?

[Richard Garvie]

Nope. Nothing on the council site about forcing an election from what I can see.

[NWNREADER]

I'd imagine it might be in Standing Orders or the like. I would certainly expect a prospective councillor to be told what commitment was expected. In other areas I know elected representatives have been pulled up for not doing the job, particularly through inadequate attendance at Meetings.

Members with particular responsibilities should attend more often so they can put their knowledge into debates and questions that arise.

[Strafin]

Interesting reading, very disappointing though. When I served as a councillor, I was at meetings two or three nights a week, which can seem quite a lot, but you shouldn't stand if you don't want to do it.

[Bloggo]

Interesting reading, very disappointing though. When I served as a councillor, I was at meetings two or three nights a week, which can seem quite a lot, but you shouldn't stand if you don't want to do it.

I bet they won't be shy at taking a 100% of their pension though!

[Guest_xjay1337_*]

Did I see Richard Garvie cycling along Hambridge Road this morning?

[massifheed]

Did I see Richard Garvie cycling along Hambridge Road this morning?

And that relates to councillor attendance how, exactly?

[Guest_xjay1337_*]

Because I was going to enquire the percentage of meetings that Richard attends on his self propelled mode of vehicular transport.

How does you asking me how my post is on topic relate to the topic anyway?

[Bofem]

You can't have it both ways RG.

You moan about them claiming mileage and then moan when they don't bother attending!

[Richard Garvie]

You can't have it both ways RG.

You moan about them claiming mileage and then moan when they don't bother attending!

No, I've said nothing about mileage claims (yet). I'm talking about basic allowance for being a member.

[Richard Garvie]

I bet they won't be shy at taking a 100% of their pension though!

You may have seen me walking!! I don't ride a bike, though.

[GMR]

You may have seen me walking!! I don't ride a bike, though.

Maybe he was drunk and saw you on a bicycle.

[NWNREADER]

I bet they won't be shy at taking a 100% of their pension though!

Do Councillors draw a pension for their service?

[Richard Garvie]

Do Councillors draw a pension for their service?

I gather some are in the pension scheme.

[Shabba]

Interesting reading, very disappointing though. When I served as a councillor, I was at meetings two or three nights a week, which can seem quite a lot, but you shouldn't stand if you don't want to do it.

It would be interesting to know how many of the questions asked by the other councillors actually had anything to do with holding the Executive/Council to account, and how many were simply Tory self-congratulation or (like Cllr von Celsing's question) attacking opposition just for opposing. Which is the bigger "waste of money"?

Someone ought to explain to the Tories that democracy IS expensive - the alternatives may be cheaper, but that's not what we voted for!

[Bloggo]

Do Councillors draw a pension for their service?

Yes, some do.

[user23]

Having checked a few of these figures for myself it seems none of them were actually correct.