Becoming a councillor Somerset West and Taunton Council
Welcome • The district of Somerset West and Taunton � Interested in becoming a district councillor? covers a area of 459.5 sq. miles • It has 32 miles of coastline � SWT Council will have 59 councillors elected • Population: 150,000 (2017 estimate) 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? Town and Parish Councils are Somerset County Council Somerset West and Taunton Council are responsible for: responsible for:- are responsible for: Elections • Education Smallest areas of civil • • Car parks administration. • Wide range of responsibilities Social Services • • Planning but can maintain community • buildings and parks e.g. toilets Roads and transport Regeneration • and dog waste bins, • Respond to Planning • Waste disposal Housing applications and other • • proposals that affect their Licensing and environmental health Economic development community. • • Council Tax and benefits • Health and wellbeing • Street care and cleaning • Protecting the public • Parks and open spaces • Libraries •
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?
Meetings and decisions • 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.
Could you be a Councillor? 1) Yes if 2) Yes if 3) Yes if 4) Yes if 5) Yes if you …want to make you …are interested you …want to you …want to you … want to a difference and be in your local area represent the views pursue your political share your skills involved in shaping and its services of local people and beliefs the future of your make sure these are local community taken into account …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 of 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… To be collectively To take up the Keep in touch Represent your responsible for Take part in the training on offer with the people community within council policy Overview and that helps you in in your area the Council and Scrutiny process your councillor other agencies role Deal with individual Work with partners casework fairly and as a representative Get involved with without prejudice of the Council Connect with groups within the To abide by the individual community Code of Conduct Executive portfolio holders Make well-informed Liaise with local Campaign on decisions at council parish some local meetings councils/local issues organisations
How much ch time is involved? • 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.
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 – 3 rd April 4pm
Thank you for attending Contact details; elections@westsomerset.gov.uk • democraticservices@tauntondeane.gov • .uk Elisa Day – 01823 358692 • Marcus Prouse – 01823 219570 •
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