What does a councillor do?
Councillors, or members, are elected by local people to plan, run, monitor and develop council business. Becoming a councillor is a rewarding way of making a difference to the borough and local people.
What does the role involve?
Councillors work to improve the quality of life for people within Taunton Deane, make decisions about local issues and sometimes work in partnership with other organisations.
Councillors are essential in deciding what is in the public interest amidst a range of conflicting issues and views. They usually represent a political party, however they can also be independent but they all represent all the citizens of Taunton Deane.
Main areas of responsibility
The role of councillor can be very varied and it is up to each individual councillor how they work.
However, the three main areas of responsibility are:
- Representing the people in their area (ward) and becoming a representative of Taunton Deane
- Community leadership
- Formulating policy.
Code of conduct
Councillors have to agree to follow a code of conduct to ensure high standards in the way they undertake their duties. The council's standards committee trains and advises them on the code of conduct.
Attendance at council meetings
You will take part in council and committee meetings requiring the study of papers, forming a view and expressing yourself to persuade and support others. You will help decide on policy and will be expected to take a proactive role in the supervision, administration and management of the council. You will be involved in processes that affect the level and quality of services received by the people you represent. You will have a significant effect on the way the council operates and on its staff.
Some councillors are appointed to represent the council on other bodies, national and local. The council also appoints councillors to undertake overview and scrutiny of the Executive.
What allowances can you claim?
The basic allowance level is set annually by the council after considering the recommendations of an Independent Remuneration Panel. It is automatically paid monthly to councillors and is taxable. The current payment is £4,012 a year although this is under review.
The allowance recognises the time commitment expected of all councillors. There will be time taken at meetings with officers and constituents on behalf of the authority and political group meetings.
The allowance also reflects costs such as use of an individual's home for council related work and private telephones
Special Responsibility Allowance
In addition to the £4,012 a year payment, a Special Responsibility Allowance is paid to those councillors who hold certain, specified responsibilities such as being a member of the executive or chairing panels or committees.
Travel and Subsistence Allowances
These allowances are a way of reimbursing councillors for expenditure on travel and subsistence incurred when carrying out an approved duty. Payments are made for training, bus, taxi, petrol costs, parking, meals, refreshments, hotels and hotel meals when on council business.
Subsistence allowances are paid for each meal time away, that is, breakfast, lunch, tea, and evening meal where the councillor is away from home for more than 4 hours.
A supplementary allowance is payable for overnight absence.
Carers Allowances
A payment for the care of councillors' dependants (in accordance with certain conditions) up to a maximum of £5.10 per hour.
How to make a Claim
- Claims are usually made monthly on an allowance form which will be supplied to you
- If you want to be paid at the end of the month, we ask you to send your claim to the
Democratic Services Manager
by the 10th of each month
- Claims are always checked against the attendance records kept for each meeting
- The basic allowance is automatically paid monthly
- A member may of course choose not to claim any allowances due.
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