Support Services for Councillors
Is there any training and development available
for new Councillors?
The Borough Council offers an induction course for Councillors and
a full programme of training and development to help them carry out
their role as effectively as possible. Here is a selection of the
courses available:
- Computer skills training
- Representing your community
- How the Council works
- Equalities
- Personal Development
- Rapid reading and presentation skills
- Meeting skills and chairing skills
- Dealing with the media
A personal training and development plan would be drawn up in
discussion with you. Most of the training is available both during
the day and evening.
Will my employer have to release me for
Council duty?
Some employers are understanding of the need for Councillors to
attend meetings during the day but a lot will depend of course on
the amount of time you want off. Some employers recognise the
benefit of their staff undertaking civic duties.
People in employment may be entitled to some time off under the
Employment Rights Act 1996, Section 50. This is a matter best
discussed with your employer. The Council is to consider
publicising the names of employers who release their staff for
Council duties.
The Member Support Officer
The Member Support Officer is available to help you with your
general queries, especially while you are finding your feet on the
Council.
Can I get help with my office work / paper
work etc?
All Councillors are supported by Democratic Services. All
Councillors can use the Members Room which contains PCs,
telephones, office equipment and a full range of research and
reading material, including all the local newspapers. A full range
of personalised stationery is available for all Councillors. You
can get help with you typing and printing requirements on
request.
What support will I get from Council
officers?
Council officers are employed to carry out the decisions of
Councillors. They are committed to assist you fulfill your duties
as a Councillor. There will almost undoubtedly be someone who is
able to offer advice or support on any issue and all you would have
to do is ask. Nearly all officers have a direct dial number and an
e-mail address to ensure that you get a speedy reply.
Will I be required to work at
home?
As mentioned previously, there will be a requirement for you to
work at home reading your papers and preparing for forthcoming
meetings and dealing with enquiries from the public. Office
equipment for their home is provided to support councillors in
their role. All councilors are now offered computer equipment
connected to the Council's intranet and the internet for research
purposes, looking at reports on-line and responding to e-mail from
their constituents. A combined telephone / fax machine is
also provided.
Further Information
Standing as a member of a political
party:
If you are thinking of standing as a candidate for a particular
political party then you will need to be a member of that party's
local organisation. Most of these are listed in the business &
services section of the BT Phone Book.
Many parties also have a national website, through which you can
get information about their organisations in your area. The parties
currently represented on the Borough Council are (in alphabetical
order):
Party Web sites:
Conservative Party
http://www.conservative-party.org.uk/
Labour Party
http://www.labour.org.uk/
Liberal Democrats
http://www.libdems.org.uk/
If you are interested in standing for other political parties,
please visit the Register of Political Parties at:-
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/regulatory-issues/regpoliticalparties.cfm
and
http://bubl.ac.uk
Standing as a independent Councillor
If you plan to stand for the Borough Council as an
independent not linked to any of the above groups, Electoral
Services on 01270 537571 can advise you about what you'll need to
do to get your name on the ballot paper.
Your next steps
Hopefully this guide has whetted your appetite or at least led to a
greater understanding of the role of the representatives of Crewe
and Nantwich Council.
Nomination Pack
If you have decided you would
like to stand for election to Crewe and Nantwich Council, please
obtain a nomination pack from:-
Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, Electoral Services, Municipal
Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe CW1 2BJ
Tel: 01270 537560
Fax: 01270 537605
Email:
elections@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk
2005 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council