Be a Councillor: Rotherham

STAND FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN www.beacouncillor.co.uk/rotherham

Rotherham Council is changing for the better.

If you care about the area that you live or work in and the issues facing local people, we need you.

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For more information about how to become a councillor or to find out more about the role, visit www.beacouncillor.co.uk/rotherham

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Stand for what you believe in

INTRODUCTION

What matters to you in your local area? Is it the state of the local park, more things for young people to do, improving services for older people, making the roads safer or ensuring that local businesses can thrive?

Perhaps you are already involved in local affairs and want to take the next step. Or you may be looking for a worthwhile and rewarding way to help your local community.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) can only be as effective, relevant and vibrant as the people elected to run it.

The council is changing for the better and we need councillors who are capable, energetic and engaged, with a commitment to local people and a passion for change.

Decisions made by councillors affect the lives of everyone in the area in countless ways.

Representing the population of over 250,000 in Rotherham, understanding the issues and concerns they face and taking action are the most important tasks that any councillor undertakes.

The council is currently overseen by five Government-appointed Commissioners. They take all decisions previously taken by the council’s Cabinet and Licensing Board, and have a range of other powers. These powers will be handed back once the Commissioners are satisfied that the council is sufficiently improved. As part of this process, the council is holding all-out elections in May 2016, when the people of Rotherham will be voting for candidates across all 63 seats in the borough.

We need plenty of talented, high-quality candidates to stand in the election who are willing to work hard and make a difference to their local communities.

No other role gives you a chance to make such a huge difference to the quality of life of people in your local area.

If you think being a Rotherham councillor is for you, further information is available online through a quiz to help you determine whether you are eligible to stand, an interactive learning programme which will help you to understand the day-to-day role of a councillor, and training and development sessions in September.

For details please visit www.beacouncillor.co.uk/rotherham

Why should I stand as a Rotherham councillor?

There are many reasons why you might decide to become a Rotherham councillor: • Wanting to make a difference and be involved in shaping the future of the local community.

• Being concerned about your local area and wanting to ensure that the community gets the right services.

• Wanting to represent the views of local people and ensure that community interests are taken into account.

• Having a concern about a specific issue and wanting to do something about it.

• In a time of scarce resources, having good ideas for doing more with less.

• To contribute your business or professional skills.

• As an extension to what you are already doing through a charity, voluntary group or school governing body – becoming a councillor can be a great ‘next step’.

• Pursuing your political ambitions and contributing to your community. Working in local government can also be a good stepping stone for those who are keen to further their careers in politics – many MPs began their political careers as councillors.

What do councillors do?

Councillors are elected to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) to represent the local community, so you must either live or work in the Rotherham area. Becoming a councillor is both a rewarding and privileged form of public service.

You will be in a position to make a difference to the quality of other people’s daily lives and prospects.

Being an effective councillor requires both commitment and hard work. You will have to balance the needs and interests of residents, the political party you represent (if any) and the council. These will all make legitimate demands on a councillor’s time, on top of the demands and needs of your personal and professional life.

Over recent years the role of councils has changed. They now have additional responsibilities such as improving the health and wellbeing of local people through joint working with health services. Another important responsibility is community safety and crime reduction, usually achieved through partnership working with the police and voluntary and community groups. Councils now deliver much of what they do in partnership with other councils, services and agencies, so as a councillor you may have opportunities to sit on partnership boards or committees for health, education, community safety or regeneration.

• It can be a career-enhancing activity, allowing you to develop leadership and analytical skills and to obtain practical, managerial work experience.

Councillor Pauline Dee (Independent), Shropshire Council “We moved to Wem in 1976 with my husband’s job as a county fire officer. Our four children settled into local schools and I wanted to make a contribution to our adopted town. I was co-opted onto Wem Town Council in 1981 but soon discovered as the only female councillor that my help was asked for quite often on subjects that should be dealt with by the district council.

“I stood for election in 1983 as an Independent and succeeded in being elected by just 12 votes to North Shropshire District Council. I served on the Housing, Environmental Health and Economic Development and Leisure Committees over the next 26 years.

I was also Chairman of the Council from 1998-2000 and from 2007-2008.

“In 2009 Shropshire became a unitary council and I was elected as one of the two Independents.

I enjoy working with the public and being part of my local community in trying to improve the quality of our lives by working together.

“It is important to have a good relationship with council officers who work extremely hard to implement the council’s wishes on ever decreasing budgets and staff levels.”

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Councillor Mark Sutton (Conservative), Staffordshire County Council Since retiring from the Police, Cllr Sutton has worked as an Investigator with the Legal Ombudsman and run his own ‘Handyman’ business. His whole working life has been about dealing with people, talking to them, helping them solve problems and getting things done, so becoming a councillor was an extension of what he’d done in a slightly different way before. His experience was a great help in canvassing, getting elected and then being a County Councillor and subsequently being a Cabinet Support member.

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“So what would help you to be a councillor? not being frightened of asking questions and dealing with a bit of conflict, being a good manager of your time, the ability to get things done and to have realistic expectations, but above all an appetite to get involved and make things better.

“I have found it very rewarding in dealing with the vast array of issues that residents bring to you, from road safety concerns, highways maintenance and re-routing of footpaths to concerns over social care and isolation. It can also be very challenging eg when I’m asking the questions of officers as well as the opposite when I’m appearing before a select committee or full council and being scrutinised about my decisions and council policy.”

What are the roles and responsibilities?

The councillor’s role and responsibilities include:

to council. If you are a member of a political party you will also be expected to attend political group meetings, party training and other events.

• developing strategies and plans • serving the community • representing the community • working with others • making rules and regulations.

Most councillors hold regular drop-in surgeries each month. Surgeries are a chance for residents to meet you and discuss their problems or concerns. You may also need to spend time visiting constituents in their homes. On top of this you will be dealing with letters, emails and phone calls from constituents. When dealing with casework or council business you may need to meet with council staff. These meetings, and any visits to council offices, may need to take place during the working day.

Then there are council and scrutiny meetings.

Scrutiny is the crucial process of looking at the work and decisions of the executive. As well as the close examination of councillors, it can also involve the community and interested parties including local health services. Handled well, scrutiny procedures can stimulate real local involvement in how the council manages and delivers its business. Councillors may also sit on quasi-judicial committees, for example the planning committee, which takes non-political decisions on planning applications. The number and length of these meetings varies from council Stand for what you believe in

For more information about the roles and responsibilities and how you would go about carrying out the duties of councillor, please refer to the ‘Be a Councillor Rotherham: learning and development workbook’.

What do councils do?

Depending on the type of council, local councils run around 800 services. RMBC has responsibility for services including: • education and lifelong learning • social services and public health • housing and regeneration • waste collection • recycling • roads and street lighting • arts, sports and culture • community safety and crime reduction • environment • planning and regulation • tackling disadvantage and building strong, stable communities • taxing and spending • transport.

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Councillor Caven Vines (UKIP), Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Caven Vines has always lived in Rotherham, and began his working life in the Sheffield steel industry, where he trained as a mechanical engineer and earned a masters degree in the subject. He went on to specialise in water treatment and travelled to many countries – often in the developing world – to work on providing safe drinking water for communities.

Married with three adult children and two grandchildren, Councillor Vines is one of three members elected to represent Rotherham’s Rawmarsh ward and he also leads the Borough Council’s largest opposition group of councillors. He previously spent two years as an independent councillor in Rotherham West ward.

“I’m a local man at heart, and feel very passionately about the issues that affect us all, including the trauma which unemployment brings to individuals and their families, having been through it myself.

“Being a councillor is about doing all you can to make things better for people who live and work in your local area. Sometimes this can be through a major project or initiative, but other times, it can be something relatively small that changes lives – helping to fundraise for the local park, supporting community groups, or leading the fight against anti-social behaviour.

“I am a very outspoken individual, who is well-known for voicing the opinions, issues and concerns of local people, and I believe in simple common sense policies. There must be lots of other people out there in the community who have considered standing for election in the past.”

These activities are mainly funded through payments from central government and the collection of council tax, although council tax makes up only about a quarter of a council’s income.

Rotherham Council…

• serves a population of 260,000 – including 56,000 children (0-17 years old) and 64,000 older people (aged 60+) • covers an area of 109 square miles • supports 84 Local Education Authority schools and 34 academies, with a total of 43,407 pupils • provides transport to school for 650 pupils with special needs • ensures care for 420 looked after children • safeguards around 1,500 children in need and 330 children subject to a child protection plan • deals with 1,700 planning and 1,500 building control applications each year • registers 7,600 births, marriages and deaths each year • operates 15 libraries • maintains 738 miles of road • provides 36,000 street lights

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• maintains 45,500 road gullies • manages and maintains 21,000 council houses and flats • deals with 250 cases of anti-social behaviour each year • deals with 28,000 claims for Council Tax Support and 23,000 claims for Housing Benefit each year • supports 10,000 people a year to live independently • provides two care homes with space for 120 older people • collects council tax from 115,000 properties • collects business rates from 7,500 premises.

Do I need any special skills or experience to be a councillor?

Groups made up of diverse individuals tend to make better informed decisions. It is important that councils have councillors who not only reflect and represent the communities they serve, but also have a broad range of skills and life experience. You don’t have to be highly educated or have a profession. Skills gained through raising a family, caring for a sick or disabled relative, volunteering or being active in faith or community groups can be just as valuable.

Stand for what you believe in

While you don’t need any special qualifications to be a councillor, having or being able to develop the following skills, knowledge and attributes will help you in the role: • Communication and influencing skills – these include listening and interpersonal skills, facilitation, public speaking, advocacy, the ability to consider alternative points of view and to negotiate, mediate and resolve conflict.

• Problem solving, questioning and analytical skills – the ability to get to the bottom of an issue and to think of different ways to resolve it, including the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

• Team working – being able to work with fellow councillors and officers in meetings and on committees and being able to complete any tasks on time.

• Organisational skills – being able to plan and manage your time, keep appointments and meet deadlines.

• ICT literacy – councils rely increasingly on information and communications technology both internally and externally. Councillors are expected to play a full role in this, eg using email.

• Ability to engage with the local community – being available through meetings, the media, the internet, public forums, debates and on the telephone in order to provide information and advice to people.

You may have gained skills and knowledge through your professional, personal or community experience. These could include:

• knowledge of the needs of specific groups such as children and young people, older people or people with health problems • an understanding of financial management and reporting processes • legal and regulatory systems or procedures • housing, regeneration or environmental issues • any other skills that relate to the work or facilities provided by RMBC. Don’t worry if you don’t yet feel that you have the skills or confidence to be a councillor. All councils provide support, information and training for new councillors.

What is the time commitment?

How much time you spend on your duties as a councillor is largely up to you and will depend on the particular commitments you take on.

The precise amount of time will depend on the roles and commitments each councillor takes on and can vary, typically, from five hours a week to more than 20 for councillors in leading roles.

Joining a planning committee, for example, will increase your workload.

You will be expected to attend some council committee meetings, which are often held in the evening so that councillors can attend after work.

As with most things in life, what you get back will depend on how much you put in. But remember, the amount of time you give to it is almost entirely up to you.

Before you consider becoming a councillor you may want to discuss it with your family and friends to make sure they understand what you

Councillor Andrew Martin (Liberal Democrat), Bolton Metropolitan Council “I’ve always been interested in politics, and getting back to my home town of Bolton after university I was determined to get involved in the place I had grown up.

“I began campaigning with my local Liberal Democrat team on the quality of our local services. I could see that people, especially in my ward and those nearby, were getting a poor deal from the council and I wanted to stand up for my area and make sure that our voice was heard in the council chamber.

“After winning my seat, I’ve been able to raise these issues in more of a formal capacity as a councillor. I’ve also been able to use my local role to bring these issues to wider attention in the press. Becoming a local councillor has helped me stand up for my community, and fight for better services for everyone here.

“It can be hard work (and it should be!), but it is a real honour to serve as an elected representative.”

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are taking on. You will need their support as you’ll have to spend some of your spare time on council business.

Will I get paid for being a councillor?

Councillors do not receive a salary. However, they do get a members’ allowance in recognition of their time and expenses incurred while on council business. Each council sets its own rate for members’ allowances, and you can find out more information from RMBC’s website.

Can I be a councillor and have a job?

Yes. By law if you are working your employer must allow you to take a reasonable amount of time off during working hours to perform your duties as a councillor. The amount of time given will depend on your responsibilities and the effect of your absence on your employer’s business. You should discuss this with your employer before making the commitment to stand for election.

What support is available?

Councillors are also provided with ongoing learning and development support to broaden their knowledge, skills and confidence.

Officer support is provided by staff working for the council. ICT support is also available, where councillors are offered appropriate information and communications technology to enable them to carry out their duties.

Independent or political?

Over 95 per cent of councillors are members of political parties, but you don’t have to be a member of a political party to stand for election.

You can either stand as an independent candidate or as a group or party political candidate. The political parties in your local area are already looking for people interested in representing them and will be pleased to hear from you. They will be able to support your election campaign and your work as a councillor.

Don’t worry if you’re not already a party member as they will be able to go through all the options with you. Some parties have special training and encouragement schemes for new candidates.

RMBC is committed to providing councillors with advice and support for all aspects of their role.

After an election, all new councillors are required to attend an induction programme to enable them to meet the key officers who will support them in their role and attend learning and development events to familiarise themselves with the work of the council, the expectations of councillors and ways in which they can carry out key tasks.

Councillor Andrew Cooper (Green Party), Kirklees Council “A principal role of a councillor is helping local people with issues and problems.

Even if you can’t resolve their concerns, it means a lot to people if they feel they have had their best shot and that every avenue has been tried.

“Being the trusted advocate that the community turns to is a really rewarding part of being a councillor and a very real responsibility. A councillor who is involved and ‘mucks in’ with community activities will be more accessible than one who spends all their time in council meetings.

“I like to think that is the way I approach the councillor role and that local people see it in the same way. I’m a firm believer in social media and regularly blog about local and national politics and anything I fancy. This helps people understand your views and helps you get your opinions and ideas to a bigger and often younger audience. My advice to anyone thinking of standing is to ensure you do the basics in terms of casework but be yourself and enjoy it.”

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Councillor Jeanette Mallinder (Labour), Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council You could say that becoming a local councillor was a natural progression for Jeanette Mallinder. She has spent many years working in the community, supporting vulnerable people and their carers through difficult times, signposting them to help and support and fighting for their rights.

Alongside her experience in health and social care, Jeanette has seen life from a range of different perspectives, but helping people and making a real difference to their lives is what really motivates her. She was elected to represent Rotherham’s Dinnington ward in the local election of May 2015.

“Coming from a mining village and living in a close community setting, I grew up with a strong sense of fairness and equality for all. It’s really important to me that everyone in our society should have the same access to the services they need, and understand where they can go if they need help.

“A councillor’s work is not necessarily about experience and qualifications – it’s about passion, commitment and a love of where you live. Being a councillor can be a tough job – you are effectively on call and available whenever someone needs you but the hard work and commitment brings reward.

“There are lots of people out there in our communities who have the potential to take on the job, and probably don’t even realise it – yet. Hopefully this campaign will change that – bring new people forward who understand the size and scope of the task, but are up for the challenge and time commitment required.”

Get involved There are resources you can use to find out more about being a Rotherham councillor, the support on offer, and how to stand for election:

• training sessions at Rotherham Town Hall, Moorgate Crofts, Rotherham S60 2TH on the following dates

• almost anyone can be a councillor but to find out more, take the Be a Councillor Rotherham eligibility quiz http://www.beacouncillor.co.uk/

Wednesday 2 September, 17.30-20.30

• an e-learning module to help understand the day-to-day role of a councillor

Friday 4 September, 14.00 – 17.00

• a learning and development workbook, which goes into more detail about the role of a councillor and provides some exercises to get you thinking about what it means in practice

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Friday 4 September, 9.30-12.30

Saturday 5 September, 9.30 –12.30

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Becoming a councillor can be both rewarding and stimulating.

And while there is no template for an ‘ideal’ Rotherham councillor, those who excel in the role are likely to be committed, determined, talented and willing to learn. Could that be you?

Make contact If you would like to attend a training session, please book in advance by emailing Virginia Ponton at the Local Government Association (LGA) virginia.ponton@local.gov.uk If you would like to talk about whether or not to stand for council, please email your contact details to Judith Hurcombe at the LGA judith.hurcombe@local.gov.uk You can also contact political parties, or if you are considering standing as an independent candidate you can contact the Independent Group Office at the LGA: Labour Group Office, LGA Martin Angus 020 7664 3134 martin.angus@local.gov.uk Regional Labour Party yorkshire@labour.org.uk Conservative Group Office, LGA 020 7664 3264 lgaconservatives@local.gov.uk

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Liberal Democrats Group Office, LGA Terry Stacy 0207 664 3235 terry.stacy@local.gov.uk Rob Banks 020 7664 3204 rob.banks@local.gov.uk www.libdemgroup.lga.gov.uk skype: lgalibdems Green Party Ann Roche 07891 220 192 annroche1955@hotmail.co.uk UKIP Cllr Caven Vines 01709 550 470 caven.vines@rotherham.gov.uk Independent Group, LGA Carl Cheevers 0207 6643206 carl.cheevers@local.gov.uk

Stand for what you believe in

Local Government Association Local Government Association Local Government House Local House Smith Government Square Smith Square London SW1P 3HZ London SW1P 3HZ Telephone 020 7664 3000 Telephone 0203030 7664 3000 Fax 020 7664 Fax 020 7664 3030 Email info@local.gov.uk Email info@local.gov.uk www.local.gov.uk www.local.gov.uk

Š Local Government Association, October 2012 Š Local Government Association, August 2015

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