Who rules //
The Town Hall
Where does it all go on?
The council members meet in the council chambers at the town hall. This is where council business is discussed and debated. The council is keen to hear people's views, so you can visit your local councillor and make your opinions known.
Like MPs, councillors hold surgeries. You may want to complain about a new shopping centre being built on the outskirts of town, or about the lack of sports facilities nearby. Your local councillor should then share your views with the rest of the council to try and get things changed or improved. You have the right to look at what has been discussed in local council meetings. You can go to your town hall and request a copy of the minutes.
The role of councillors
Councillors have very important and responsible roles – they need to listen to what people in their area have to say and ensure that local people are getting what they need. You can speak to your councillor about what you would like to see in the area and complain if you're unhappy with what's going on, just as you would with your local MP.
Believe it or not, although local councillors are responsible for really important matters, it's a voluntary job, done in their own time and unpaid. Councillors do get an allowance, the amount of which depends on their areas of responsibility, and they can claim expenses. But being a councillor requires dedication and commitment to perform this valuable public service.
Key Points
- Councillors meet to discuss and debate local issues at the town hall.
- You can look at the minutes (notes) from council meetings to find out about decisions being made.
- There is a Cabinet and council leader who are all elected by the council members.
- Councillors don't get paid – it's a voluntary job.
Reality Bytes: Skate Park Protest in
Devon - The Right Decision?
A skate park in Kingsbridge, South Devon, was closed down in June 2004 after residents complained that it was too noisy. Young people were really unhappy about the closure, especially as they had helped to create it and even raised money for the local council to build it in the first place. Young skaters joined together to form a group called 'Kids with Commitment' to protest against the closure and make their voices heard.
The effects
The police weren't too happy about the closure either as it meant that young people would probably be back skating on the streets. Not all councillors agreed with the closure. They felt young people needed somewhere to go in the local area and recognised the skaters had spent a lot of time and effort raising thousands of pounds to build the park. The protestors held a peaceful demonstration to show their anger at what had happened and the council agreed to find a more suitable area for a skate park.
Interesting Facts
- Some councils hold elections every year to elect different parts of the council, others have big elections every three to four years.
- Anyone over 21 years old (but not council employees) who lives in a particular area can stand for election as a local councillor.
- Local elections always take place on the first Thursday in May (except in Northern Ireland).
Big Question
- What issues are the council tackling in your area?
