If I gain the role of a democratically-elected local representative, I will have a unique and privileged position – and the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives.
Representing Ashurst
A councillor’s primary role is to represent their ward or division and the people who live in it. Councillors provide a bridge between the community and the council. As well as being an advocate for Ashurst residents and signposting them to the right people at the council, I will need to keep residents informed about the issues that affect them.
In order to understand and represent Ashurst views and priorities, I will need to build strong relationships and encourage Ashurst residents to make their views known and engage with me and the council. I believe that good communication and engagement is central to being an effective councillor.
If elected as an Ashurst councillor, I believe that residents will expect me to:
- respond to their queries and investigate their concerns (casework)
- communicate council decisions that affect them
- know my patch and be aware of any problems
- know and work with representatives of local organisations, interest groups and businesses
- represent their views at council meetings
- lead local campaigns on their behalf.
Community leadership
Community leadership is at the heart of modern local government. Councils work in partnership with local communities and organisations – including the public, voluntary, community and private sectors – to develop a vision for their local area, working collaboratively to improve services and quality of life for citizens. Councillors have a lead role in this process.
Developing council policy
Councils need clear strategies and policies to enable them to achieve their vision for the area, make the best use of resources and deliver services that meet the needs of local communities. As a local councillor I will contribute to the development of these policies and strategies, bringing the views and priorities of Ashurst to the debate. How I do this will depend on the committees and / or forums I might be appointed to. However, the council’s policy framework must be signed off by full council, on which every councillor sits, include me, if I’m elected.
Planning and regulation
Councils are not just service providers, they also act as regulators. As a councillor I may be appointed to sit on the planning and regulatory committee, considering issues such as planning applications and licenses for pubs and restaurants and ensuring that businesses comply with the law. In these roles, councillors are required to act independently and are not subject to the group/party whip. Most councils arrange special training for this.
Code of conduct and standards
As a councillor I will be required to adhere to West Lancashire Borough Council’s agreed code of conduct for elected members. Each council adopts its own code, but it must be based on the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s seven principles of public life. These were developed by the Nolan Committee, which looked at how to improve ethical standards in public life, and are often referred to as the Nolan principles.
These principles apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder. This includes all those elected or appointed to public office, nationally and locally, and everyone appointed to work in the civil service, local government, the police, courts and probation services, non-departmental public bodies and in the health, education and social care sectors. All public office-holders are both servants of the public and stewards of public resources. The principles also apply to everyone in other sectors delivering public services.
If elected as a councillor, I promise to always listen to Ashurst residents, to properly represent them at council meetings and to adhere to the seven principles of public life, always.
