Councillors fulfil many different roles including local policy maker, community leader, facilitator, decision-maker and local representative.
In three years out of every four year period the council holds local elections to elect representatives known as councillors. Each councillor represents an area known as a ward, but also has responsibilities for the whole of Havant and is normally elected for a four year term of office.
As a councillor you would be involved in complex decision-making, leading the council within the community and ensuring quality and value-for-money services. The decision-making process is carried out by a number of committees and boards, some of which you would be appointed to. These committees and boards not only make decisions but also question and shape policy and future decisions.
Councillors come from all walks of life and should be representative of the whole community. The borough currently has councillors who are employed, self-employed and retired.
Under the Electoral Administration Act 2006, the minimum age requirement to become a councillor is 18 years of age; there is no maximum age limit. You must be a British, Commonwealth or European citizen and need to be a local elector or have lived, worked, owned or rented property in the borough for at least one year. You will also need the support of 10 local government electors from within the borough to complete your nomination papers.
People stand for election for many different reasons, including:
There are four main areas of work when elected as a councillor:
People will come to you with problems and ask for your assistance, e.g. a contentious planning application or problems with noisy neighbours. Groups and organisations will also expect your help, e.g. seeking your support for financial aid for a new sports initiative. You will need to represent all the people in your ward, whether they voted for you or not and regardless of whether you support their views.
You will vote on issues and help shape the council’s activities: for instance, setting the level of Council Tax and determining planning applications. Electors will monitor your activity and see that you are honouring any commitments given in your election manifesto. It is not a requirement to have a manifesto, but most candidates do, to let electors know what they would be voting for. As a result you will often need to explain why the council has taken a certain course of action. This is known as political accountability.
The government is keen to encourage all councillors to take on the role of community leader. This involves working with all groups and organisations both in your area and the wider borough such as the police and health services, to ensure that local efforts to improve the well-being of the people in the Borough of Havant are co-ordinated and effective.
You may also be selected by the council to represent it on organisations such as trusts, voluntary groups, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and other local bodies.
Havant Borough Council makes some 70 such appointments each year.
This will largely depend on your own ambitions. Holding special responsibility such as chairing a committee or board, or even being responsible for a portfolio area such as Planning and Development, will significantly increase the amount of time you spend on council business.
Special responsibility aside, you will be required to attend regular meetings of the committees and boards of which you would be a member. You will receive a large volume of paperwork to read on issues to be discussed at forthcoming meetings which may take a few hours to read per week. This background preparation ensures you can make meaningful contributions to the decisions you are expected to participate in making.
As a councillor you are likely to have to deal with constituents’ queries at home. This can involve contact with services at the council and/or other local organisations and will require you to be highly organised.
Councillors do not have to be identified with a political group or party, although, in practice, most are. The decision you make in this regard is entirely at your discretion. If you wish to stand as an Independent, or indeed any other description which is not political, you may submit your nomination papers direct to the Returning Officer. However, if you wish to stand under any form of political group, please contact a representative of the appropriate organisation.
People in employment may be entitled to some time off under the Employment Rights Act 1996. This is a matter best discussed with your employer before you decide to stand for election.
Do I get paid for being a councillor?
There is no “salary” but you will receive an annual allowance to cover sundry out-of-pocket expenses.
What undertakings will I have to agree to/sign?
On becoming a councillor you will be required to sign the Acceptance of Office which includes an undertaking that you will abide by the Code of Conduct expected of council members and will undertake appropriate training. You will also have to complete a Register of Interests which includes financial and personal interests.
I am interested, but know nothing about being a councillor.
The council has a continuous Member Training Programme to assist elected members in attaining skills and expertise. Training can be directly focused to address individual need (eg IT issues) or can be targeted at new duties such as alcohol and gambling licensing. Specialist training in the field of Planning is always provided.
When and where do meetings take place?
Nearly all of the council’s meetings take place at the Public Service Plaza in Havant. The Development Management Committee has a Site Viewing Working Party which travels around the borough by coach. The majority of meetings are held at 5.00pm.
Of course you are welcome to come and observe the proceedings of any of the council’s meetings that are open to the public to help you understand the potential responsibilities and duties of the role of a councillor.
What about day-to-day support?
The officers of Havant Borough Council are committed to helping you fulfil your duties as a councillor. There is a healthy relationship between councillors and officers which is based on mutual respect and co-operation. There will always be someone who is able to offer advice or support on any issue. All you need to do is ask.
The Democratic Services Team acts as a first point of contact to assist you with any queries. There are various facilities available for member use, together with a library of local government information, national guidance and magazines on public life. Stationery is provided.
I want to stand for election, what do I do now?
The formal election process for 2012 will begin with the publication of the Notice of Election in March 2012. From the date of the publication of that notice you will be able to submit nomination papers to formally register your intention to stand for election.
Nomination papers will be available from March 2012 from:
The Returning Officer
Electoral Services Office
Havant Borough Council
Public Service Plaza
Civic Centre Road
HAVANT
PO9 2AX
Email: elections.office@havant.gov.uk
If you would like any further information about becoming a councillor or the work of the council, please contact:
Lee Abraham, Democratic Services Team Leader, on 023 89244 6230.
Email: lee.abraham@havant.gov.uk
We hope this article has been useful to you!