What Does Being A Councillor Involve?

Councillors represent a ward within the Council area. Three or four Councillors will be elected to each ward.

They represent the people in the ward and are also responsible for making sure the council's statutory duties are carried out.

This involves being a member of various committees which  make decisions on matters such as council policies, strategies and budgets.

And means employing local knowledge to work closely with council officials.

Councillors also:

• Make decisions about the way the council is run and about the services the council provides
• Act as a point of contact with local groups
• Represent the views of local groups and individuals regarding council policies, services and the needs of the area
• Work with local people and organisations such as the police, health service and local business to develop and plan services
• Represent the community and the council on partnerships and outside bodies
• Hold open sessions – known as surgeries – when they meet the people they represent (their constituents) to discuss whatever issues they have about the neighbourhood

Salary

After May 2007, all Councillors will be guaranteed a basic salary of £15,452.

Council Leaders and other senior Councillors who have significant additional responsibilities earn proportionately more.

More Information

A National Code of Conduct for all Councillors, including rules on declaration of interests, was approved by the Scottish Parliament and published in May 2003. The Standards Commission is responsible for this National Code of Conduct.

Find more information in this A-Z of Local Government compiled in May 2003 by the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE).