Becoming a councillor Somerset West and Taunton Council Welcome - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Becoming a councillor

Somerset West and Taunton Council

Welcome

• The district of Somerset West and Taunton

covers a area of 459.5 sq. miles

• It has 32 miles of coastline
• Population: 150,000 (2017 estimate)

Interested in becoming a district councillor? SWT Council will have 59 councillors elected every 4 years to represent their communities and take decisions for the council. By May 3 – YOU could be one of those 59 and be a champion for your local area

A new council…bringing new opportunities

The new council has clear ambitions for the district. The focus will be on;

• Commercialism
• Commissioning services and delivering services
• Harnessing technology to access and deliver services
• Creating new jobs as well as protecting those we already have
• Dealing with financial pressures as a council
• Working with our communities

What does SWT Council actually do?

There are three levels of local government in Somerset. They provide different services:

• County Level – Somerset County Council (SCC)
• District Level – Somerset West and Taunton (SWT)
• Parish/town councils* - Most communities in SWT have parish/town councils.

Taunton’s urban area is the exception and it currently has no very local level of government.

What does SWT Council do?

Somerset West and Taunton Council are responsible for:

• Elections
• Car parks
• Planning
• Regeneration
• Housing
• Licensing and environmental health
• Council Tax and benefits
• Street care and cleaning
• Parks and open spaces

Somerset County Council are responsible for:

• Education
• Social Services
• Roads and transport
• Waste disposal
• Economic development
• Health and wellbeing
• Protecting the public
• Libraries

Town and Parish Councils are responsible for:-

• Smallest areas of civil

administration.

• Wide range of responsibilities

but can maintain community buildings and parks e.g. toilets and dog waste bins,

• Respond to Planning

applications and other proposals that affect their community.

How does the council work?

The Council’s constitution sets out how the council will operate and make decisions. This makes sure that the Council is safe, legal and able to function. In the national Government the Civil Service implements Parliament’s decisions, made by MP’s. In local government, councillors make decisions and officers put these into effect.

So… what does a councillor look like?

• Full Council:– all 59 councillors meet about five times a year to debate and agree major policies, including the

budget and setting the level of Council Tax

• Executive:– Leader, Deputy Leader and portfolio holders. These are councillors with special responsibility for

example Housing. The Executive sets out a programme of work – forward plan – and makes decisions alone or recommendations to Full Council.

• Scrutiny:– Reviews and monitors council services, holds the Executive to account, comments on and develops

policies

• Licensing:– Regulates all aspects of licensing including taxis, pubs and clubs and gambling
• Planning:– Considers and decides planning applications
• Audit, Governance and Standards:–

High level overview of risk management and assurance in place.

Meetings and decisions

Could you be a Councillor?

1) Yes if you…want to make

a difference and be involved in shaping the future of your local community

2) Yes if you…are interested

in your local area and its services

3) Yes if you…want to

represent the views

• f local people and

make sure these are taken into account

4) Yes if you…want to

pursue your political beliefs

5) Yes if you…want to

share your skills

…and I am sure there are many more

Who can become a councillor?

Can YOU? The answer is ‘almost certainly’

Councillors must be nominated by local people as an election candidate. To stand for election as a councillor you must be:

• 18 years of age or over;
• A British or European Union citizen

Who can become a Councillor?

You must also be one of the following;

• Registered to vote in the area
• Have lived, worked in your main job, or owned or rented land in the Somerset

West and Taunton Area for at least 12 months before an election.

• If you have any further queries about any of the Elections process please do not

hesitate to speak with us afterwards

Who can become a Councillor?

You cannot be a Councillor if you:

• Work for the Council in question or for another council in a politically restricted

post.

• Subject to a bankruptcy order
• Have a criminal record that disqualifies you – please check with us if you are in

any doubt

Do I need to be in a political group/party?

NO

Some councillors choose to belong to a political group, which usually requires you to be a member

• f the party to stand in their name. Councillors are free to leave or join a political group once
• elected. You can only stand for election as an Independent if you are not a political group

member.

Removing the barriers for you

• Basic allowance – £4950 You could get more if you chair a committee
• Expenses e.g. fuel costs for travel to and from meetings
• Time of meetings – most will start at 5pm
• IT kit – Councillors will receive an iPad, equipped with tech you will need to serve your

community

• Support, advice and training
• Personal Development/skills – a full four year member development

programme starting with expert led induction sessions.

What’s expected from you?

• Community Leadership
• Communication and negotiating skills
• Working in partnership
• Empathy, patience and a sense of humour
• Taking part in essential training such as IT to enable you to be an effective

councillor.

In detail…

Represent your community within the Council and

• ther agencies

Keep in touch with the people in your area Get involved with groups within the community To be collectively responsible for council policy Take part in the Overview and Scrutiny process Work with partners as a representative

• f the Council

To take up the training on offer that helps you in your councillor role To abide by the Code of Conduct Liaise with local parish councils/local

• rganisations

Connect with individual Executive portfolio holders Campaign on some local issues Deal with individual casework fairly and without prejudice Make well-informed decisions at council meetings

• This is largely up to you and will depend on the commitments you take on.
• Your council role will decide how much time you spend on council work. Joining a

planning committee, for example, will increase your workload. You will be expected to attend council committee meetings and training.

• The law says employers must allow an employee who is a councillor time off during

working hours to undertake council duties.

• What you get back will depend on how much you put in. The time you give is up to you.

How much ch time is involved?

Myth Busting – ‘You won’t make a real difference’

Make a Difference – Become a Councillor https://vimeo.com/317240980

Question Time

• Any Questions?
• If you would like to hear more details about being a local councillor speak to sitting

councillors here today who will be happy to answer your questions.

• We have more information for you including nomination packs – please head to the area

stations to gain further information

• The Council can’t function without effective councillors making it clear what our priorities

should be, what services we should deliver and how.

• Period for submission of nominations: 19 March – 3rd April 4pm

Thank you for attending

Contact details;

• elections@westsomerset.gov.uk
• democraticservices@tauntondeane.gov

.uk

• Elisa Day – 01823 358692
• Marcus Prouse – 01823 219570