05 February 2008

MP WELCOMES STAFFORDSHIRE COUNCILLOR TO WESTMINSTER

Stafford’s Labour MP yesterday welcomed County Councillor Robert Simpson to Westminster. Councillor Simpson was attending a meeting of the All-Party Local Government Group. He had previously given evidence to the Councillors Commission and now he was present for an MPs discussion about the Commission’s report.

David Kidney says that MPs value the work of local government and support efforts to raise public awareness of the role of Councillors:

“Local authorities are a key ingredient of our democracy and it is very important that the voice of Councillors should be heard – by their communities, their councils and their MPs. I know from past experience that for many people the prospect of becoming a Councillor and serving the local community can be daunting. The report MPs and Councillors debated on Tuesday in the All-Party Group looked at ways to support Councillors. We need talented people to step forward and be Councillors and not be put off by the prospect of boring meetings, awesome responsibilities or overwhelming casework”.

Councillor Simpson, who spoke at the meeting, says it’s important for councils to give their Councillors the tools to be able to work with their communities:

“On Staffordshire County Council, I draw on the support given me by other Councillors and by council staff to enable me to serve well the people I represent in Stafford. When councils come to make decisions that affect people’s lives, the quality of those decisions will be better if the Councillors are confident that they know the views of the residents that they represent. This means that Councillors need to be rooted in their communities, have practical support from their councils and in the case of Councillors who also have a paid job, have the support of their employers”.

The independent Councillors Commission, chaired by Dr Jane Roberts DBE, published its recommendations in their report 'Representing the future' on 10 December 2007. The Government is considering the Commission's report and will publish a response in the Spring.  Thoughts on the report can be sent to online discussion forum at http://haveyoursay.communities.gov.uk/forums/ or by emailing councillorscommission@communities.gsi.gov.uk. The website is at:http://www.communities.gov.uk/councillorscommission/

ENDS