I am still asked by members of the public and students at work, what does a local councillor/politician do? So few residents either know/understand or vote that there is little understanding of the role of local councillor. Many believe we local representatives are like members of parliament and receive large salaries/expense accounts and are occupied full time by the council. For all councillors this is not the case and we are part time politicians having to balance earning a living, families, relationships and recreation, with council commitments.
Councillors spend much of the their time;
arbitrating between residents and the council,
representing local residents at the council,
attending local and city community events,
taking part in the mechanism of the council (council meetings, committees and serving as council representatives on other organisations that work in the city e.g. university, charities etc)
and campaigning to ensure their parties policies are put at the front of the council agenda.
All of these events are attended by time off work (depending on how sympathetic your employer is and please remember you employer does not have to pay you for this time off), evenings and weekends. I am not asking for sympathy as we choose to get involved in local politics but a little understanding of the commitment councillors make to their local communities, cities and parties, is a balancing act would be appreciated.
Councillors spend much of the their time;
arbitrating between residents and the council,
representing local residents at the council,
attending local and city community events,
taking part in the mechanism of the council (council meetings, committees and serving as council representatives on other organisations that work in the city e.g. university, charities etc)
and campaigning to ensure their parties policies are put at the front of the council agenda.
All of these events are attended by time off work (depending on how sympathetic your employer is and please remember you employer does not have to pay you for this time off), evenings and weekends. I am not asking for sympathy as we choose to get involved in local politics but a little understanding of the commitment councillors make to their local communities, cities and parties, is a balancing act would be appreciated.
Events like one I and other local Labour Bitterne councillor , Simon Letts, attended this Saturday at Thornhill Park. Where a wooded area is being properly maintained and enhanced by the authority with partner organisation Groundwork Solent and local volunteers. Where a great new play area is being constructed as result of extra Labour government funding to play schemes and the new deal programmed instituted by the community minded Labour government.
I want to remind everybody of the changes for the better that eleven years of Labour government has achieved and it is not just about spending like New Deal programmes but there has been a change in culture in so many organisations and communities.
Even today while chopping at the Laurel and brambles many passing residents commented on the how good the work was and how positive to for the local community. I was pleased to see several local young people passed and asked if they could help and did so donning gloves and getting to grips with the undergrowth. So many of the cities young are just lumped together as not contributing to society and yet here they are helping.
Even local conservative councillors found that taking part in the community worth while. Though to be cynical one of them is a prospective parliamentary candidate for the Tories which means attending everything..............
