As a councillor, you would be expected to participate in making decisions that will affect everyone living or working in Northamptonshire. Working with the other councillors, you will:
- Take collective responsibility for setting the council's annual budget.
- Take part in setting the council's major policies.
- Build up a good knowledge of the council, its services and partners.
You may also:
- Take part in groups set up to look at certain aspects of the council's services (called overview and scrutiny).
- Represent the council on any other organisations you may be appointed to.
- Take on positions of special responsibility such as chairperson of a committee or even the Leader of the Council.
We have prepared a Role Description that explains what Northamptonshire County Councillors do:
How much time would I spend on being a councillor?
The time councillors spend on their duties varies considerably, but national research shows that councillors spend an average of around eighteen hours per week on council business.
The majority of this time will be spent on issues affecting your local community, but you will also be expected to attend council meetings as well. Most council meetings are held during office hours.
If, after being elected, you are elected by your group to a position of special responsibility, you may find this takes up considerably more time. Very senior councillors such as Cabinet Members find this can be equal to a full-time job.
How would I serve the people in my local area?
As well as dealing with issues affecting the whole of Northamptonshire, you will also represent people in your local area. You will:
- Be responsible for a budget of £10,000 per year which you will be able to use to support projects in your area.
- Actively encourage community participation in decision making and represent the views of your local community.
- Deal with individual casework and act as an advocate for your constituents in resolving their concerns.
You will also need to make sure that you are accessible to people in your area, for example by holding regular surgeries.