Select committee inquiry
Councillors and the community
Closed
What the inquiry looked at
“Further information: Report: Volume I (PDF) Report: Volume II (PDF) Government Response Oral evidence Paper from a discussion event held at the Houses of Parliament on 17 September 2012 Terms of reference Inquiry follow-up: The Committee secured a debate on its report on Thursday 5 September in Westminster Hall. Watch debate The Committee invited submissions on reactions to the Government response. Follow-up submissions”
The committee's words, from the inquiry page on parliament.uk ↗.
What it found
In the committee's words, from the summary of 6th Report - Volume I - Councillors on the frontline (Volume I: Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence) ↗
The role of councillors is changing and becoming increasingly community-based. In future, councillors will be expected to spend more time out and about supporting their constituents, working with external organisations (such as GPs, schools, police, local businesses and voluntary organisations) and ensuring communities make the most of all the opportunities available to them. Councils should be devolving power and resources to their members to enable them to fulfil this role: we have seen some examples of good practice from which other councils can learn. The Government, in turn, has to fully embrace localism and give local authorities real ability to make decisions.
With this new role, it is important that communities have councillors to whom they can relate. At present, the membership of many local authorities does not reflect the demographic make-up of the communities they serve. It is important to increase, for example, the proportion of women, younger people and black and minority ethnic people serving on local authorities. The political parties have an important part to play in this, and are already taking action; they need to make a concerted effort to ensure that their national policies are implemented in all parts of the country. Local authorities have to do more to promote democratic engagement, and popularise the idea of becoming a councillor.
We identified three key practical barriers to people becoming and remaining councillors.
First, some people are put off by the time commitment involved: as the role becomes increasingly demanding, councils should consider providing councillors with officer support to help them, for instance, to manage their casework. Second, employers do not always take a positive view of their staff becoming councillors and may not give them the support or time off work they need: the Government should consider whether employers can be given any encouragement or incentives to support their employees who are councillors. Third, while people do not become councillors for the money, the levels of allowances can be a deterrent to people standing for election. Councillors shy away from increasing allowances because they are conscious of the negative public and press reaction:
to address this issue, councils should be given the power to transfer decisions about allowances to independent local bodies.
It is important that appropriate mechanisms are in place to support councillors’
performance and train them in the skills they need. Councillors should be encouraged to report to their communities on their performance over the year; the parties should take this performance into account when deciding whether or not to reselect a councillor. Training should be adapted to meet the changing role of councillors, and should be considered a benefit, not a cost, to the local taxpayer. At a time when councillors are being called on to make increasingly difficult decisions about service reductions and budget priorities, they have more need than ever for the support and resources to enable them to undertake this role. It is therefore important that there are sufficient resources in place to meet their training and development needs.
What the government said
6th Report - Volume II - Councillors on the frontline (Volume II: additional written evidence)
No government response is linked to this report.
6th Report - Volume I - Councillors on the frontline (Volume I: Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence)
The government responded on 18 March 2013.
Read the government's response ↗ Read the report ↗ Report an error
How the inquiry ran
Each dot is a dated item listed on this page, from the inquiry's opening on 13 April 2012 to its close on 26 March 2015.
- Oral evidence 21 Oct 2014
- Report 2 reports
- Government response 18 Mar 2013
What it recommended 6 recommendations · 21 conclusions
1The Councillors Commission set out some important principles about the role and recruitment of councillors,...
Concluded (the committee's words)
The Councillors Commission set out some important principles about the role and recruitment of councillors, and shone a light on a number of important issues, some of which we have considered in this inquiry.
2We have heard different descriptions of the role councillors should be playing in their community.
Concluded (the committee's words)
We have heard different descriptions of the role councillors should be playing in their community. Some witnesses have referred to “community leadership”. Others have said that councillors should be “facilitators” or “civic entrepreneurs”. It does not really matter how this role is described: individual councillors will adapt their approaches to what works locally. What matters more is that the Government does not accidentally undermine the authority of councillors, and that councillors are, in turn, visible in their communities, getting out and about, meeting their constituents and giving them the help and support they need. In doing so, they should be encouraging communities to make the most of all the opportunities available to them, including those offered by the Localism Act 2011. By being visible and active, councillors can also become role models for others in the community and encourage a wider range of people to take an interest in local government.
3In supporting their communities, councillors should be working closely with external organisations and providers of...
Concluded (the committee's words)
In supporting their communities, councillors should be working closely with external organisations and providers of public services. By forging close relationships with GPs, schools, neighbourhood policing teams, voluntary organisations and local businesses, councillors can broaden their understanding of the key issues facing their community. They also have a role in bringing organisations together to share intelligence and provide a co-ordinated and effective response to local needs.
4We urge all councils to consider how best to provide support to their councillors and...
Recommended (the committee's words)
We urge all councils to consider how best to provide support to their councillors and assist them to ensure they have an active role in their communities. Wherever possible, councils should be seeking to devolve power and resources to councillors at the local level, to enable them to fulfil this role. This devolution could take a number of forms: enabling councillors to become “mini mayors” at the ward or community level; delegating budgets; or establishing area committees with decision-making responsibilities. We have seen good examples of what can be achieved: the levers are in place, so councils should get on with the job of devolving power. The approaches they take will depend upon the characteristics of the area and the type of authority, but it is important that examples of good practice are collected and publicised. Councils and the Local Government Association should work together to ensure that good practice is shared and that authorities learn from each other.
5Increasingly, council services are being delivered by external providers.
Concluded (the committee's words)
Increasingly, council services are being delivered by external providers. In these cases, it is important that the role of the councillor is not reduced. Councillors have to be able to influence the way services are delivered, and should not be prevented from doing so because their authority is locked into a long-term contract where there 58 Councillors on the frontline is no access for local politicians to intervene in relation to service quality. Councils should take care when drawing up contracts to ensure that the contracts allow councillors to shape service delivery and have regular contact with frontline staff.
6We remain concerned about the Government’s mixed messages on localism.
Concluded (the committee's words)
We remain concerned about the Government’s mixed messages on localism. The Secretary of State’s use of terms such as “guided localism” and now “muscular localism” suggests an inability to let go of the reins and embrace the concept fully. This can be frustrating and confusing for councillors and councils wishing to make the most of localism. We once again urge the Government to rein in its interventionist instincts, and to commit to giving councils real freedom to make important decisions about issues affecting their areas. Centrally directed localism is a contradiction in terms.
7We support the development of parish and town councils in areas that are currently “unparished”...
Concluded (the committee's words)
We support the development of parish and town councils in areas that are currently “unparished” where communities wish to see them created, and welcome the Government’s commitment to make it easier for communities to establish local councils.
8We recommend that councils from time-to-time give formal consideration to their electoral arrangements, ward composition,...
Recommended (the committee's words)
We recommend that councils from time-to-time give formal consideration to their electoral arrangements, ward composition, and, in collaboration with other authorities in their areas, their structures. If, following such consideration they are minded to make a change, they may wish to request that the Secretary of State or the Local Government Boundary Commission for England initiate a review or, if within their powers, make the changes to the arrangements themselves.
9We consider it a matter of concern that the composition of many councils does not...
Concluded (the committee's words)
We consider it a matter of concern that the composition of many councils does not reflect that of the communities they serve. Clearly, we should not be looking for absolute “reflectiveness” (which would be impossible to achieve). We also accept that councillors do not necessarily have to come from a particular section of society to represent that section effectively. Nevertheless, healthy democracy depends upon different sections of society feeling a connection to those who represent them. It is, therefore, important to increase, for example, the numbers of women, younger people and black and minority ethnic people serving on local authorities, so that the membership of councils is better aligned to the make-up of the local populations they serve. Evidence presented to us suggested that there are areas where it can be difficult to find any candidates at all, and in these places the scale of the challenge will be all the greater.
10Political parties form the backbone of our democratic system.
Concluded (the committee's words)
Political parties form the backbone of our democratic system. If we are to see a significant increase in the proportion of councillors from currently under- represented groups, the three main parties together have an important (and probably the most important) role to play. We were pleased to see that the national parties were taking action to increase the number of candidates from under-represented groups and to encourage a broader pool of people to put themselves forward. We were also encouraged to hear that the parties had in place steps to address concerns raised with us about excessive caution and a lack of transparency in selection processes. However, while there are doubtless many examples of good practice, we did not see convincing evidence that party policies were being universally applied by local parties “on the ground”. The political parties must ensure that there are mechanisms in place to monitor the implementation of their national policies in all parts of the country, and that results are achieved.
11Being a councillor is not for everyone and some people will choose to serve their...
Concluded (the committee's words)
Being a councillor is not for everyone and some people will choose to serve their communities in other ways. Nevertheless, the values and skills involved in working in the voluntary sector or running a business will often reflect many of those required for service as a councillor. The political parties should initiate discussions with organisations representing the voluntary sector and business community to explore how they can work together to promote opportunities to stand for election. In addition, the parties should take steps to make themselves more open, for instance by creating a more welcoming atmosphere at meetings, so that people are not deterred by negative and possibly inaccurate perceptions of what being a party member entails.
12There are a number of approaches the political parties could take to increasing the diversity...
Concluded (the committee's words)
There are a number of approaches the political parties could take to increasing the diversity of the candidates they select. We are not advocating particular approaches but rather that parties should actively consider the options available. These options could include the use of open primaries, and the introduction of positive action policies.
13Local authorities should be actively promoting democratic engagement and explaining to the public what the...
Concluded (the committee's words)
Local authorities should be actively promoting democratic engagement and explaining to the public what the role of councillor entails. The repeal of the Duty to Promote Democracy should be a spur to show that councils can develop and implement their own approaches to the promotion of local democracy, without the need for central government direction. We understand that local government is currently facing significant budgetary constraints. Nevertheless, we encourage all councils to put in place strategies for democratic engagement, in accordance with their local circumstances. These strategies should include a focus on engagement with under-represented and hard-to-reach groups. In particular, councils should be taking steps to promote the active involvement of young people.
14The Local Government Association (LGA) deserves credit for its work on the Be a Councillor...
Concluded (the committee's words)
The Local Government Association (LGA) deserves credit for its work on the Be a Councillor programme, which is playing an important role in encouraging a wider group of people to stand at local elections. We welcome the political parties’ 60 Councillors on the frontline engagement in the programme. We note the suggestion for the creation of a Local Democracy Advocacy Organisation that could take over and expand the programme. While there is merit in this idea, we are wary of recommending the setting up of a new organisation, which could be expensive and time consuming. We would, however, encourage the LGA to expand the Be a Councillor programme, under its established branding, to enable it to play a wider role in the promotion of local democracy. The expanded Be a Councillor programme could take steps to share good practice from councils’ approaches to promoting democratic engagement. Steps to popularise the idea of becoming a councillor should be actively considered.
15Councils should consider assigning to each councillor an officer who can assist them in managing...
Concluded (the committee's words)
Councils should consider assigning to each councillor an officer who can assist them in managing their casework. In smaller authorities, this officer may be shared between a number of councillors.
16The Ministry of Defence is giving serious consideration to the ways in which employers can...
Recommended (the committee's words)
The Ministry of Defence is giving serious consideration to the ways in which employers can be encouraged to support military reservists. The Department for Communities and Local Government should conduct a similar review. We recommend that the Government consult on how employers can be encouraged to provide support to their staff who serve as councillors. Options that might be considered include a kitemark-style recognition scheme and the introduction of a financial incentive scheme.
17We recommend that the Government give councils the ability to transfer responsibility for setting allowances...
Recommended (the committee's words)
We recommend that the Government give councils the ability to transfer responsibility for setting allowances to independent local bodies. Unlike the current panels, which can only make recommendations, these bodies would make decisions about levels of allowances that councils would be required to accept. It would be inconsistent for Parliament to deny councils the option it has chosen for the determination of its own pay and conditions.
18We recommend that the Government give councils (or, if the recommendation above is accepted, local...
Recommended (the committee's words)
We recommend that the Government give councils (or, if the recommendation above is accepted, local allowance bodies) the power to include a capped element to compensate for loss of earnings as part of a councillor’s allowance. This would address our concern about the current situation, where a large proportion of councillors are retired and do not have the same need as employed councillors to increase allowances. Allowances therefore remain low and act as a deterrent for those considering whether to stand for election in future. The current arrangements become self-perpetuating.
19We are concerned at the inconsistency in the Minister’s position on allowances.
Concluded (the committee's words)
We are concerned at the inconsistency in the Minister’s position on allowances. On the one hand, he insisted that the setting of allowances was a matter for local determination. On the other hand, he was prepared to question a decision on allowances that a local authority had quite legitimately taken. This inconsistency illustrates our concerns about “guided localism”. Councils should be free to exercise Councillors on the frontline 61 their decision-making power without facing criticism whenever Ministers disagree with the decisions they make.
20We were pleased to hear about the steps political parties were taking to put in...
Recommended (the committee's words)
We were pleased to hear about the steps political parties were taking to put in place councillor contracts. As we have already observed, it is important that the commitments made by political parties at a national level are translated into action on the ground. We urge the parties to ensure arrangements are in place for the active monitoring of contracts. Moreover, before deciding to reselect a councillor, local parties should give thorough consideration to the councillor’s performance over the previous term.
21We encourage local authorities to put in place light touch arrangements for reporting councillor performance.
Concluded (the committee's words)
We encourage local authorities to put in place light touch arrangements for reporting councillor performance. As part of this, councillors could be asked to complete a brief annual self-assessment to be made public in an accessible format. This should cover not only attendance at formal meetings, but also details of the work councillors have carried out within their communities.
22We encourage political parties, local authorities and other bodies to review the training they offer...
Concluded (the committee's words)
We encourage political parties, local authorities and other bodies to review the training they offer to ensure it meets the needs of councillors. In particular, training should reflect the changing roles of councillors, and ensure that councillors understand the implications of the Localism Act 2011 and other new legislation. However, councillors themselves must ultimately be responsible for ensuring they have the skills they need to carry out their duties. We suggest that, as part of the performance reporting process we propose above, councillors make public details of any training they have completed in the course of the preceding year. Training should be seen as a benefit, not a cost, to local taxpayers.
23On the one hand, we are encouraged that a number of councils have chosen to...
Concluded (the committee's words)
On the one hand, we are encouraged that a number of councils have chosen to ring fence their member development budgets; on the other hand, we are concerned by reports that the staffing to support this member development is being reduced in a number of authorities. While we recognise the budgetary pressures councils are under, we consider it essential that they ensure that there are sufficient resources to meet their members’ development needs. Without training and development, councillors’ effectiveness and job satisfaction will suffer.
24At a time when councillors are being called on to make increasingly difficult decisions about...
Concluded (the committee's words)
At a time when councillors are being called on to make increasingly difficult decisions about service reductions and budget priorities, this is not the moment to reduce their ability to undertake these vital tasks. Councillors have more need than ever for the support and resources to enable them to fulfil their decision-making and scrutiny roles.
25Training should be provided to potential candidates before they stand for election, to give them...
Concluded (the committee's words)
Training should be provided to potential candidates before they stand for election, to give them some knowledge of what they can expect from being a councillor. We encourage councils and political parties to work together to organise “taster courses” and briefing sessions for those considering standing for election.
26We pay tribute to the councillors across the country who are working hard for their...
Concluded (the committee's words)
We pay tribute to the councillors across the country who are working hard for their communities, speaking up for them, addressing their problems and concerns, helping them get projects off the ground, and working with other organisations to ensure people get the representation they need.
27Councillors should be at the centre of community life, well known and respected by those...
Concluded (the committee's words)
Councillors should be at the centre of community life, well known and respected by those they represent, and empowered to effect change within their local areas. We believe that, in future, all councillors should be on the frontline: central government, political parties, local authorities and, above all, councillors themselves have to play their part in achieving this ambition. Democracy at all levels depends on the health of its councillor base.
Evidence
Oral evidence sessions 1
- 21 Oct 2014No witnesses recordedparliament.uk ↗