Encouraging new blood at H.B.C.

garinda · 22-05-2010, 17:36

Al this talk about the timing of the council's A.G.M., and the fact that some councillors struggle getting to daytime meetings, because of work, or family commitments, set me thinking.

Most of us are quick to criticise our councillors, with the occasional bit of scant praise thrown in for good measure. But how many of us know exactly what's involved in being a councillor?

How much of your time does it take?

What are the frustrations of the job, and also the rewards?

How as it changed you?

Do you feel you're making a difference?

I think it would be brilliant if one, or more of our members who are councillors, use the blog facility on Accy Web, to let us know the ins and out, the pros and cons, of representing us in council chambers.

Because Ken is newly elected, I think his take on things would be most interesting, and insightful.

It doesn't need to be somewhere for political bitching, or leaking of secrets, but let us know what you actually do, and what exactly's involved.

I think if more people had a clearer idea of what's expected, and what's entailed, it could encourage more people to seek public office. Which can only be a good thing.

How about it?

shillelagh · 22-05-2010, 17:55

As i got told when i stood for election .. you get a lot of earache, not a lot of praise, costs you money, be ready for phone calls at midnight from people who live in your ward who have been in the pub all night discussing you, loss of privacy .. you could be in the docs waiting for your appointment and a constituent might be waiting as well and decide to tell you something then when you get called in the middle of being told get a mouthful because you wont listen, but it is rewarding .. you doing something for where you live to try and make it a better place.

cashman · 22-05-2010, 21:47

Think the biggest frustration of the job in hyndburn at least, must be the Council Leader.

jaysay · 23-05-2010, 09:38

Well I've never been a councillor and after my secretarially experiences helping councillors I wouldn't won't to be one, its a thankless job, the general public think because your a councillor your available 24/7, thus phone calls at 7 o'clock on a Sunday Morning or 10 o'clock on a Saturday night. This is why I have always said that councillors earn every penny they are paid irrespective of Party. Believe me, popping into the odd meeting forms very little of what councillor actually does, so if this is not the life for you stay well clear, because to be a councillor you must be some sort of masochist, in the nicest possible way of course

garinda · 23-05-2010, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Well I've never been a councillor and after my secretarially experiences helping councillors I wouldn't won't to be one, its a thankless job, the general public think because your a councillor your available 24/7, thus phone calls at 7 o'clock on a Sunday Morning or 10 o'clock on a Saturday night. This is why I have always said that councillors earn every penny they are paid irrespective of Party. Believe me, popping into the odd meeting forms very little of what councillor actually does, so if this is not the life for you stay well clear, because to be a councillor you must be some sort of masochist, in the nicest possible way of course

One of mine was thanked on here yesterday.

Ken Moss · 23-05-2010, 09:52

There's a link to my blog at the bottom of every post which shows many of the things which both myself and close colleague Cllr Harry Grayson are involved with in Rishton.

It is a rewarding job and can take as much or little of your time as you wish although, as with most other things, you get out what you put in. The past two weeks have been a bit of a blur as there are any number of training and induction meetings to go to in order to meet the heads of deaprtments and find your feet but the staff at HBC have been very helpful and there are lots of friendly faces who will point you in the right direction.

Several niggly matters in Rishton have now been cleared up and all it took was a bit of digging on my part but it helps immeasurably if you have time during the day, which I am fortunate to grant myself as I am self-employed. Most other Labour councillors struggle in that respect but the communication infrastructure is generally superb and response times from officials have been excellent so far.

It does great credence to 'opposition' councillors such as Doug Hayes and Allah Dad that they have come up to me and given friendly advice.

I haven't sat at full council yet but from viewing in the public gallery it is something of a panto. It's a shame really because some splendid work has been done by councillors from all parties.

garinda · 23-05-2010, 09:55

I shall keep an eye on your blog then, and follow your journey.

garinda · 23-05-2010, 10:02

I still think it would be a good idea for one of our councillors to post about the amount of time that is spent in meetings in council chambers, and how much extra time is required if you sit on other committees etc., besides what work is done outside 'offical' hours.

If more people knew exactly how much they did, with no reward for themselves, it might garner a bit of good public relations, and people might cut them a bit more slack.

JCB · 23-05-2010, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

One of mine was thanked on here yesterday.

Looking at the list of Hyndburn Councillors there are three I have had dealings with in various capacities , 2 Con , 1 Lab .
I found all three approachable and willing to do what they could to address certain matters.But they are not God.There are some situations that with all the will in the world councillors simply can't sort out.

Ken Moss · 23-05-2010, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I still think it would be a good idea for one of our councillors to post about the amount of time that is spent in meetings in council chambers, and how much extra time is required if you sit on other committees etc., besides what work is done outside 'offical' hours.

If more people knew exactly how much they did, with no reward for themselves, it might garner a bit of good public relations, and people might cut them a bit more slack.

Crikey Gary, where do I start?

At a basic level there are the full councils which take a good four hours each with travelling and they're once every six weeks.

Depending on how many committees you choose to sit on that gobbles up another few hours a month.

Answering e-mails as it stands now after two weeks takes up an hour a day.

Phone messages come through daily which really should be answered with home visits and a full answer which usually needs a bit of research as well.

Party meetings are at least once a month (certainly more than that for Labour) which is another three hours a time with travelling.

The earache you get in pubs is sometimes a little galling when you just need a quick pint after working all day but it's nice to be recognised as someone who people will ask for assistance and the gratitude from those you do help is priceless.

Basic salary for all councillors is just under £4,500 per year which is taxable. Chairs of committees get an additional £1,500 per year per chair and Leader of the Council gets in the region of £21,000 extra per year.

At my level, you don't get much beyond your basic allowance and fuel at 60p per mile to meetings on official council business.

garinda · 23-05-2010, 10:19

Thanks.

A good start.

JCB · 23-05-2010, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

Crikey Gary, where do I start?

Sorry Ken , I don't want to pile on your excellent work , but sometime perhaps you could inform us of the non-elected officials of the Council- their official names and roles.
It would seem sense to me if such an official could be responsible for setting dates and times for meetings.It might prevent the present skulduggery . Thanks.

Ken Moss · 23-05-2010, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCB

Sorry Ken , I don't want to pile on your excellent work , but sometime perhaps you could inform us of the non-elected officials of the Council- their official names and roles.
It would seem sense to me if such an official could be responsible for setting dates and times for meetings.It might prevent the present skulduggery . Thanks.

Generally speaking, they do set the dates of meetings although they can be changed on request. However, there are far far too many people to name at HBC but David Welsby is the Chief Executive of the Council and the timing of meetings such as the AGM would have to be approved by him as they are subject to legalities of the constitution.