What do councillors do and why are they important?
What do councillors do?
Councillors are elected to represent local residents in an individual geographical unit of the Council known as a Ward. The role of a Councillor can be varied and it is up to each individual Councillor how they work. Councillors
have responsibilities to their ward, to the Council and to the community.
Councillors work with local people and partners, such as community groups, businesses and other organisations, to agree and deliver on local priorities. The decisions are implemented by permanent council staff, council officers, who deliver services on a daily basis.
The role of a councillor is to serve and represent everyone in the ward that they are elected to (and not just those who voted for them). Some are also appointed to additional roles in the council, such as being a cabinet member.
The role brings people together. Councillors work with a diverse range of people from their community and have officers to support them in their role at the council. Councillors lead the local conversation: you can be part of that to make your area the best place it can be.
It’s a varied and highly fulfilling role, and no day is the same.
Councillors must adhere to the Code of Conduct which sets out the standards and behaviours expected of councillors and elected members. The code of conduct is based on the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles).
Building on these principles, the following general principles have been developed specifically for the role of councillor.
In accordance with the public trust placed in me, on all occasions:
- I act with integrity and honesty
- I act lawfully
- I treat all persons fairly and with respect; and
- I lead by example and act in a way that secures public confidence in the role of councillor.
In undertaking my role:
- I impartially exercise my responsibilities in the interests of the local community
- I do not improperly seek to confer an advantage, or disadvantage, on any person
- I avoid conflicts of interest
- I exercise reasonable care and diligence; and
- I ensure that public resources are used prudently in accordance with my local authority’s requirements and in the public interest.
You can find out more about the Councillor Code of Conduct here:
Local Government Association Model Councillor Code of Conduct 2020 | Local Government Association
If you are interested in viewing a Council meeting these are webcast and available on our website - https://www.coventry.gov.uk/meetings-1/full-council
There are written rules, which govern behaviour and procedures at meetings included in the ‘Council Constitution’ and these enable councillors to take part effectively. The Constitution – Coventry City Council
Mr Peter Wiseman, OBE, LLB – An Independent Member of the Council’s Ethics Committee states:
“A successful local authority is always underpinned by sound governance. They go hand in glove and, if they don’t, things can go horribly wrong. The responsibility is shared between Councillors and Officers. The Nolan Principles and the City’s Code of Conduct for Councillors are the key to achieving success and avoiding failure. I would hope that they would become so firmly entrenched in the “DNA” of every Councillor that, whenever they are conducting Council business, the Nolan Principles and the Code would be applied automatically: ie. they had become second nature. This is the best way to ensure that outcomes and any decisions reached are robust having passed through respectful debate and scrutiny. I would argue that it is only by Councillors adhering to the highest standards of conduct in this way that it is possible to retain the trust and confidence of the public in the City Council. This guidance should go a long way towards achieving this goal.”
Why are councillors important?
Councillors play a key part in the City as they:
- are a voice for the community, representing local people and communities;
- are champions of those who use local services;
- help shape future services for the benefit of local people;
- work in partnership with other organisations such as:
- police
- voluntary and community sector
- other public bodies
- the private sector
- play a major role in improving the quality of life for the people within the City of Coventry