Role of our Councillors as individual's
The Councillor must be 18 years old or over and qualified to hold office[1]. Usually elected for a 4-year period, or by co-option onto the Council.
All members by law[2], sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office, and agree to abide by the Code of Conduct.
Councillors must attend at least one meeting during a 6-month period or they can be disqualified[3].
Councillors must complete a Register of Interest within 28 days after election or appointment to office, to the Monitoring Officer[4], a record of which is held by the Clerk.
Councillors have a duty to attend meetings when summoned to do so, they are responsible for declaring their own personal[5] and prejudicial interests[6] before an agenda item is discussed.
Councillors should inform the Clerk of an intended absence, in order that it can be recorded[7].
Councillors have a duty to serve their community by working together, act in the public interest, represent the whole electorate and should not bring the council into disrepute.
Councillors can ask for items to be included on the agenda, they debate and discuss issues at meetings.
Councillors are entitled to a vote[8].
An individual Councillor cannot give an instruction or make a decision of their own accord, as defined by and in the Hillingdon case.
[1] Local Government Act 1972, s79.
[2] Local Government Act 1972, s83.
[3] Local Government Act 1972, s85.
[4] Parish Councils (model code of conduct) order 2001 (SI 3576) Part III para 12.
[5] Parish Councils (model code of conduct) order 2001 (SI 3576) Part II para 8.
[6] Parish Councils (model code of conduct) order 2001 (SI 3576) Part II para 10.
[7] Local Government Act 1972 schedule 12 para 40.
[8] Local Government Act 1972 schedule 12 para 39.