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STAND FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN BE A GREEN PARTY COUNCILLOR www.beacouncillor.co.uk | @beacouncillor
Cover images – top: Councillors Andy Hodgson, Max McLoughlin and Shahin Ashraf MBE with Co Leader of the Green Party Sian Berry and residents in Solihull Bottom: Vix Lowthion with residents on the Isle of Wight www.beacouncillor.org.uk 2 Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillor
Could I be a Green Party councillor? YES! Welcome to the ‘Be a Councillor’ guide for Green Party members and supporters. Green Party councillors are bridge builders and consensus builders for whom ‘actions speak louder than words’. Even one lone Green voice can change the debate, challenge the status quo and ensure local people concerned about climate change and social justice have an effective voice. This guide contains information about how councils work, the role of a councillor and most importantly, what being a Green Party councillor looks like. Inside the guide, you will hear from several Green Party councillors from different local councils. They have shared why they are Green Party councillors and why it is important to them to represent their communities. The guide is a great starting point if you have ever looked at other councillors and thought “I could do this”. There is also information about where to go to find out more. In local government the Green Party is working hard for local people, providing leadership that is making our communities more sustainable, inclusive and making sure everyone knows the difference local action and participative democracy can make. Green Party councillors come from every walk of life but share a common set of values: a reminder that local government is there for all local people. Representing local people and working with them is what we do best. You may already be a campaigner, community activist, involved in your local church or mosque, or a local school governor. You might be in full-time or part-time work, retired or self-employed across profession, job or vocation. Ultimately, if you really care about your area, and want to work to make it the best place it can be, becoming a Green Party councillor could be for you. We hope you find this guide useful, and if you decide to stand for election, we look forward to welcoming you into the Green Party local government family. Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillor 3
Foreword
The most powerful voice you can The best councillors are those
have at the table, in the room or within who simply bring their everyday
the town hall is a Green voice. It is experience to the job and who work
the one that really matters – and it’s with their local parties to be the
the one that can change everything. change we want to see. It’s hugely
rewarding to be able to put into
Unlike the other parties, we don’t
practice the things you believe in.
have a huge natural ‘base vote’ on
To champion the concerns of local
which we can build. We have to
people. To make a real and tangible
earn every vote. So when a Green
difference.
councillor is elected, it is because
of our work, and the things we have If you haven’t thought about it before,
done both for and with the local then there’s no better time. We face
community. a climate emergency and, now more
than ever, we need Greens at every
Up and down the country local
level to offer solutions, ideas and
communities are seeing what a
ways to a secure future. If not us,
difference a Green makes. And they
who? If not now, when?
are electing more and more. Whether
it’s because we are ensuring financial Councillor Jonathan Bartley
support is maintained for our most Councillor Sian Berry AM
vulnerable residents, improving Green Party of England
local recycling rates, fighting and Wales Co-Leaders
homelessness and fuel poverty by
Elise Benjamin
building and insulating more social
Chair of the Association
housing or fighting with residents to
of Green Councillors
stop local green spaces being lost to
development. Greens are standing
proud of what they are achieving.
We need more people to step up
and come forward to be Green
councillors. To be leaders in their
communities. To be advocates for
change. It might seem daunting,
but it needn’t be.
4 Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillorWhat is a councillor, and what do they do?
Councillors are elected by The council is controlled by either the
communities to represent them and political party which has a majority of
to run their local authority. Councillors councillors or, if no one party has a
represent wards or divisions which majority, there may be a coalition of
vary greatly in size across the country. parties or a minority administration.
Councillors are expected to be active Your role as councillor will vary
in the life of their local communities depending on whether you are the
and act as the voice of their first pioneer Green Party councillor in
constituents, raising any concerns your community or part of a growing
with the local council on a range or established group, but, generally
of matters related to the work of speaking, will include some or all of
the council. From waste collection the following broad responsibilities:
to street lights, housing to social
• dealing with individual pieces of
services, councillors talk to people
casework for local residents and
about everything and anything.
helping them resolve issues
Green Party councillors represent • leading on local campaigns on
the party and its policies, and are an behalf of the local communities
important part of their local party,
• serving on council committees
feeding back to members about what
which look at decisions being made
is happening at the council.
or have specific legal or ‘regulatory’
Councillors may also work with duties
politicians at a regional, national • acting as community leaders and
and European level on issues of helping local people get involved in
local importance which have national the decisions made by the council.
implications.
Councillors are elected for a four- Be prepared Top Tip: Go online
year term unless they are elected and explore your council’s website.
at a by-election, in which case they Find out what services they
must stand again at the next normal provide and how many wards and
election for the seat. They are often councillors there are.
referred to as ‘members’ of the
council.
Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillor 5Council structures
In Britain there are two distinct types Metropolitan districts
of local government structure – when The 36 metropolitan districts
deciding whether (and where) to have the same responsibilities as
become a councillor it is important to unitary councils but comprise the
bear in mind the differences between areas covered by the six former
them. In Scotland, Wales and often metropolitan counties (Greater
the more urban parts of England, Manchester, Tyne and Wear,
there is a unitary structure of local Merseyside, the West Midlands,
government (ie each area has one West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire).
council responsible for providing all
the services).
District (or borough) councils
For many parts of England there Districts have various responsibilities
is a two-tier structure of principal such as: refuse collection, housing,
authorities, with each area being licensing, planning, leisure facilities,
covered by a district and a county environmental health, car parking,
council. Outside London there are markets and protecting the
also parish and town councils. environment. There are around 200
district councils.
Unitary authorities
These are responsible for all powers County councils
delegated to local government (see County council responsibilities include:
table overleaf). There are 55 unitary education, social services, libraries,
authorities in England. In Wales all 22 roads, street lighting, the fire service,
local authorities are unitary as are the planning and consumer protection.
32 local authorities in Scotland. There are 27 county councils. It is
possible to serve as both a county and
a district councillor, known as a dual
London boroughs
councillor or dual-hatter.
London boroughs have very similar
responsibilities to unitary councils
but have some of their powers Parish and town councils
transferred to the Greater London There are around 10,000 community
Authority (GLA), with whom they work (found in Wales), parish and town
in close cooperation. The GLA also councils in England and Wales which
has responsibility for the police and are made up of nearly 100,000
fire service. There are 32 London councillors. Parish councils can exist
boroughs and a City of London where there are anything from 100
Corporation. residents to over 50,000.
6 Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillorPrincipal authority responsibilities
Metropolitan or London Shire or unitary authorities
authorities
Joint Met London District Unitary County
authorities councils
Education X X X X
Housing X X X X
Planning applications X X X X
Strategic planning X X X X
Transport planning X X X
Passenger transport X X X
Highways X X X X
Fire X X X
Social services X X X X
Libraries X X X X
Leisure and recreation X X X X
Waste collection X X X X
Waste disposal X X X
Environmental health X X X X
Revenue collection X X X X
Public health X X X X
Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillor 7What is involved in being a councillor?
Being a Green Party councillor is Many people looking after children
a rewarding experience and many or dependent adults make excellent
councillors will tell you that they have local councillors as they have direct
obtained new skills and experiences personal knowledge of the services
whilst working with their communities. that affect people just like them.
Together with our Green Party MP,
Be prepared Top Tip: Make a
Assembly Members, MEPs, and town
list of all the things you currently
and parish councillors, Green Party
do and think about how you
councillors on principal authorities
could manage your activities and
are also hugely important catalysts to
commitments. Talk to people with
championing ‘Policies for a Sustainable
experience of being a councillor
Society’ in their local areas.
and who have similar time
Here are some things to think about commitments to you.
before deciding to stand for election.
Can I afford to do it?
What’s the time commitment? Most councillors receive an
Think about how you would balance ‘allowance’ for their duties which
the responsibilities of being a is taxable. Being a councillor is a
councillor alongside family, friends job and the allowance is to ensure
and employment. that if elected you are not left out
of pocket. If you are on benefits
Talk to the people around you before these allowances can affect your
you stand: their support will be really entitlement, so get advice before
important. If you have Green Party agreeing to stand.
councillors or former councillors in
your area, have a chat with them There is also a childcare and
about what is involved dependents carers’ allowance for
attendance at meetings payable
If you also work, talk to your on production of receipts, up to an
employer. You are entitled to time agreed maximum cost per hour.
off for being a councillor and
many employers see the benefit of The council also provides a special
an employee gaining such great responsibility allowance to those
experience outside the workplace. who undertake additional duties
such as the leader of the council,
If you have caring responsibilities, portfolio holders, scrutiny chairs and
think about how to manage those. opposition leaders.
8 Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillorMany Green Party councillors also For instance, councillors are
agree to give part of their allowances expected to be available to enable
to their local and regional party constituents to come to them with
to help get more Green Party problems. This means that councillors
councillors elected. need to have good listening skills, the
ability to represent someone, to keep
Be prepared Top Tip: Find confidences, and to resolve conflict.
out more about the allowances
scheme run by your local council – Be prepared Top Tip: Attend
this can be found on their website – your regional, national and AGC
and think about your own financial conferences for training and
situation. development opportunities.
What training do I need? How can I find out more?
You don’t have to be highly educated There is more information below
or have a profession. Skills gained in the section called ‘Once you’re
through work, education, bringing up elected’, as well as online on the
a family, caring for a sick or disabled AGC website. The LGA has also
relative, volunteering or being active produced a workbook to help you
in faith or community groups are to go through some of the things
really valuable. you need to consider.
In addition, the Green Party
Be prepared Top Tip: Make a
regionally, nationally and through the
list of the skills and experience
Association of Green Councillors
you think you have. Ask friends
(AGC) offers training for people
and relatives what they think.
thinking of standing for election,
Be honest, but don’t underplay
as well as for candidates, and all
yourself – most people have a
councils provide training for both new
much wider range of skills than
and experienced councillors. We also
they think. Consider how these
take advantage of the wide range of
skills would make you a great
opportunities available through the
councillor.
Local Government Association (LGA).
Although you don’t need any particular
training to stand for election, think
about what skills and attributes you do
have and how they might help.
Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillor 9How do I become a Green Between your selection and election
Party councillor? day you will be expected to help
Before you can be a councillor you lead Green Party campaigning in
must get elected. The Green Party your ward and, in particular, to talk to
aims to stand candidates in every voters and listen to their concerns.
ward, and is always looking for good, This will principally be done on the
new people to get involved. There is doorstep. There are also various
a procedure to go through, but it is kinds of events you can hold as
not complicated and there are lots of well as leaflets and letters you can
points at which you are offered help distribute.
and support.
You will have an agent (and/or
campaign manager) and that person
Getting approved as a candidate
will be responsible for organising the
There are two main reasons to have a
detail of the campaign. As polling
candidate approval system. The first
day approaches things will get busier
is to ensure that potential candidates
and more will be expected of you, so
know what is expected of them, but
remember to be proactive in making
it is also to ensure that anyone who
sure that you still have time for family
has the Green Party name and logo
and work.
associated with them does the party
credit. If you are elected you will be
expected to start immediately, so
You will receive advice and support
make sure in advance that your family
for the process from your local and
and employers know this.
regional party.
Be prepared Top Tip: Find out
Be prepared Top Tip: Meet
about elections in your area and
with your local party, existing
contact your local Green Party
councillors and active candidates
team. Ask about how elections are
to learn more about how and why
run locally and how you might get
they became candidates.
involved.
Getting elected as a councillor
Unless you are a candidate in a by-
election, the election will most likely
happen on the first Thursday in May.
10 Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillorCosts, legal issues and probity Every council also has a ‘Members’
The main cost of getting elected Code of Conduct’ which sets out
is the cost of the campaign itself rules for how its councillors are
and includes items such as leaflets, expected to conduct themselves in
canvass cards and posters. Local office such as the need to declare
parties should have a fundraising plan any pecuniary interests at a meeting
to cover the cost of the campaign. before items are discussed. Following
election, all newly-elected councillors
Candidates do not receive expenses
sign a written undertaking to abide
or payments, but once elected
by the code of conduct. Council
councillors normally do receive
officers provide advice on all of these
allowances.
matters to councillors.
There are some legal constraints
Green Party groups also have
on who can and can’t be a local
Standing Orders to ensure that group
councillor, for example you have to live
business is conducted fairly and
or work in the council area where you
professionally.
want to stand. There are other reasons
such as bankruptcy which prevent Be prepared Top Tip: Check what
an individual from standing and most the legal requirements for being a
local authorities publish the reasons councillor are and that you meet
why a person couldn’t stand in the them.
election section on their websites.
Elected representatives at every level
are required to complete a Register
of Interests which declares your
financial and property interests and
membership of any organisation
that may influence you – such as
a political party. The main thing to
remember is, if in doubt, declare it
and take advice from the chief legal
officer if you are elected.
Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillor 11Being a Green Party councillor
If you are elected you will take up There is good evidence that
office immediately and, although it councillors who develop and nurture
may seem a little intimidating at first, a good reputation in their ward earn
there will be training and support to the respect of the electorate, who in
help you settle in. The council will run turn, repay them at the ballot box. In
an induction for new councillors and, itself, this is a compelling reason for
in terms of the work in the ward, you taking the role of the ward councillor
will find that much of it will follow on seriously.
from the work you were doing before
The need to be effective as a ward
the election as a local campaigner.
councillor is about much more than
Green Party campaigners believe this. Representing people in your
that councillors, and indeed the area, understanding the issues
whole structure of local government, and concerns they face and being
should engage with people and work equipped with the skills, confidence
with them rather than simply make and ability to take action and make
decisions on their behalf. a difference is the most important
task that any councillor undertakes.
Green Party councillors are expected
Significantly, it is also often the role
to keep their residents up-to-date
that local people value most.
with what they have been up to with
regular newsletters, emails and social Green Party campaigners and
media posts. councillors can act as the leaders
and organisers for real change. As
They may also hold advice surgeries
a result we may win council seats
for constituents, attend regular Green
but the real victories will be in the
Party group meetings and play a full
community groups built and the
part in the life of the party locally in
control taken by people over the
their area. Green Party campaigners
decisions which affect their own lives.
and councillors will often be the
people leading the charge on issues There are a number of key roles that
of great importance to a local councillors are involved in:
community.
• serving the community
A significant part of all these • representing the community
responsibilities is the work that
• representing the Green Party.
councillors do at a neighbourhood
level, representing the people of their
electoral ward or area.
12 Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillorServing the community The task of representing a group of
Providing public services is the several thousand local people can
main function of the council. Local be complex. The way that councillors
councils provide around 800 different carry out their ward duties can vary
services, from highways and adult enormously, but as a Green Party
social services to education and councillor it is expected you will
refuse collection. Councillors have a be very involved in every aspect of
key role as: your community – from attending
functions to supporting local events
• policy-makers
and regularly being in contact with
• decision takers residents in a variety of ways.
• ‘scrutineers’ of the effectiveness of
You should:
the council in delivering services.
• understand the ward – the key
You need to be the voice of issues facing local people, by
your community at the town hall, talking directly with voters
representing its wishes and a link
• represent local voices – by being
between your community and the
a channel of communication
council.
between your local community and
The surest way of finding out what the council and ensuring you are
really matters to local residents is listening to and representing the
to ask them – whether on the door views of those you represent
or as you meet people going about • manage casework – listen to and
their daily affairs. Use time in queues, respond to requests from individuals
coffee shops, the launderette, on and groups in the community,
the bus, at the hairdressers to listen resolving problems.
to what people are talking about.
Conversations are vital to getting Understanding the ward
more information and strengthening If you are a new councillor, it is
your links in and to the community essential that you get to know the
you represent. area you represent. You need to know
and understand your ward. What are
Representing the community the issues that concern people most?
Councillors represent all of the What issues are emerging?
people within your communities
(including those who did not vote
for them).
Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillor 13A great place to start is with local While representing individual
community groups and ‘community voters, councillors often try to keep
players’. You don’t need to attend in touch with as wide a range of
every meeting of every community people in the ward as possible. This
group, but you do need to know will involve going to meetings and
they are happening and have good events, meeting people on a one-to-
links with the key people. Local one basis, and listening to different
vicars or religious leaders, the police views about what is needed or what
community support officer, the corner should be happening. Your role as
shopkeeper or the local branch of the a representative includes lobbying
Citizens Advice are great contacts. to get a fair share of investment and
service improvements in your area;
Issues will come up in your ward
dealing with casework and getting
that require campaigning. A good
things ‘sorted’; and championing
local campaign is a brilliant way to
your area at the council.
cement the relationship between you
and local people. You don’t have to Many authorities have an area or
run the campaign, we’re much more neighbourhood board structure
interested in ‘empowering’ other bringing together councillors from
people to campaign themselves, a local area. The Green Party has
but you will need to be involved, and long been an advocate of more local
perhaps help get things going. decision making and it is important
we make the local structures work.
Be prepared Top Tip: Look at the
Because councillors are often one
internet and search for groups
of the main link points between
using key local area names. You’ll
local people and the council, you
probably discover a multitude of
will also need to be able to provide
groups you were unaware of – and
information as clearly as possible
were unaware of you. Set yourself
to help them understand local
a challenge to meet up with one
government services and processes.
contact and group every month.
This becomes easier once you are
a councillor and understand them
Representing local voices better yourself.
The task of representing a diverse
and mobile mix of communities, The biggest challenge for ward
groups and individuals can be tricky. members is often in getting the
council or an outside body to take
local views into account when
making decisions.
14 Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillorThere are various ways of doing However, make sure you do not raise
this, but the first requirement is to false expectations about what you
understand what those views are can achieve. Help individuals achieve
yourself. things themselves. Remember we
are here to empower not act as an
We as the Green Party pride
alternative social worker or benefits
ourselves on asking voters what they
advisor.
think is important in their area, getting
their feedback on local issues, It is a good idea to build up a
reporting back to them what we are network of good contacts to help you
doing and sharing information. solve casework. Good relations with
a small number of officers will work
People are much more inclined to
wonders – always say thank you to
listen and pay attention if they feel
officers when something is done.
that the person speaking to them
knows what they are talking about,
is committed to getting the best Representing the Green Party
outcome, and has credibility as an You are also importantly a
elected representative. representative of the party. We
want our local community and our
local council to be a more liberal
Managing casework
and democratic place. If we are
Some councillors find casework
not any different from the Labour,
the best part of their role – the
Conservative or Liberal Democrat
opportunity to sort out problems
councillors who went before us, then
for people who find the council ‘an
there was no point getting elected.
impossible nightmare’.
It’s our real chance to put Green
Customer service studies always
Party policies into practice. We can
show that it is the speed and
use scrutiny, questions, newsletters
style of the initial response that
and the media to hold the ruling
is remembered by the resident.
group to account and, in some
Respond quickly to all enquiries –
areas, we are part of the ruling
email makes this very easy nowadays.
group and can use this leadership
You need to set up a system for role to implement change. We can
managing your casework that works use council motions, proposals,
for you. A book, a system using your amendments, and campaigns and
email, a spreadsheet – whatever lobbying to put our ideas across.
works for you. Bits of paper and your
memory will not work.
Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillor 15For the best solutions for local residents you will also have to work with others, identifying a common agenda to address the needs of the community whilst continuing to be in line with the party. Be prepared Top Tip: Speak to current councillors about their casework, the issues and problems as well as how they handle an issue. 16 Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillor
Parish councils
How to become a parish councillor They have small budgets and limited
Despite the name, parish councils powers, but provide an important link
have nothing to do with the church. between individual communities and
Parish and town councils represent the principal councils in that area.
the first tier of local government
and there are approximately 70,000 Eligibility
parish/town councillors in England. Eligibility is identical as for principal
It is the most local level of government councils as detailed earlier except
– local people elected by local that instead of the criteria that you
residents to tackle purely local issues. must appear ‘either on the electoral
register for the council area in which
While they may be responsible for
you are seeking election; or have
smaller areas and fewer people
lived or worked in that council area for
than principal councils, they are
at least the last twelve months’, you
recognised as the grassroots layer of
must appear ‘on the electoral register
democracy and are the most ‘local’
for the area in which you are seeking
level of local government.
election; or be living within three miles
Many parishes are ‘unwarded’ (not of it, or working, owning/leasing land
divided into wards), so councillors or property in that parish for at least
represent the whole parish. Where the last twelve months’.
parishes are warded, these wards
do not necessarily have the same Your role as a parish councillor
boundaries as the district wards. Parish council elections are held
Some parish councils are allowed to every four years, usually on the first
use the description of ‘town council’. Thursday in May. If you would like to
Councillors will then be known as stand for election, you will need to
town councillors rather than parish obtain a nomination paper from the
councillors and the council will have parish council clerk and arrange for
a town mayor rather than a parish someone (who is an elector for the
chairman. The legal status of town locality) to propose and another to
and parish councils is the same. second your nomination.
Parish and town councils exist in most
parts of the country, although not in
London.
Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillor 17Parish councillors may be elected if The financial cost
there is a ‘casual vacancy’, due for Some parish or town councils pay
example, to a councillor’s resignation. allowances to their councillors. Others
This vacancy may be filled by a by- do not have allowances but reimburse
election or by ‘co-option’ (where a councillors for expenses if they attend
parish council finds someone who meetings outside the parish, with the
might be suitable and then votes to approval of the council.
select them, without a by-election).
As well as their basic responsibilities
Co-option usually occurs if there to represent the whole electorate
are not enough candidates to fill within the parish, deliver services
the vacant council seats. If you are to meet local needs and strive to
interested in being co-opted, make improve quality of life; parish councils
yourself known to the parish council can also be responsible for providing
clerk. Contact details should be on a range of community services such
the parish council website. as: street lighting, allotments, local
transport and traffic services, and
Being a parish councillor means you:
tourist information centres.
• represent the ward and your
They can make a particularly
electorate’s views at grassroots level
important contribution to tourism,
• ensure that council business planning, legal proceedings, licensing,
is planned, run, improved and community halls, representation,
monitored correctly transport, management of town
• work in areas of community and village centres and providing
leadership community centres. Parish councils
• represent the Green Party. have few restrictions on the use of
their powers but expenditure does
The time commitment have to be covered by the parish. As
There are regular meetings, usually parish councils do not face ‘capping’
in the evening and at least once a or receive any government grants they
month, and you will be expected to have more flexibility than principal
work in and for your local community. councils on their spending.
It is worth checking this with your
The parish also has a reasonable
local council to ensure you will be
amount of power. A prime example
able to attend these meetings. The
of this is in planning applications.
parish council has a number of
committees which you can join.
18 Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillorThe planning authority is the district or borough council, but it often gives details of planning applications within the parish to the parish council and will consider the councillors’ comments when coming to a decision. Also, the county council is often the highway authority, but it usually consults the parish when considering any road scheme, for example, the placing of double yellow lines, or implementation of a cycle path. Being a parish councillor brings no special privileges other than the satisfaction of working for the parish in which you live. Becoming a local councillor is life and career enhancing – it shows you can make decisions, work in a team, are community minded and proactive. Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillor 19
Useful organisations and websites Local Government Association (LGA) Independent Group Local Government House, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ Tel: 020 7664 3235 www.local.gov.uk/lga-independent Your council’s website The Green Party www.greenparty.org.uk Association of Green Party Councillors (AGC) www.agc.greenparty.org.uk Local Government Association (LGA) An invaluable source of help and advice for all those in local government. www.local.gov.uk The Electoral Commission Independent elections watchdog and regulator of party and election finance www.electoralcommission.org.uk 20 Your guide to becoming a Green Party councillor
Local Government Association 18 Smith Square London SW1P 3HZ Telephone 020 7664 3000 Email info@local.gov.uk www.local.gov.uk © Local Government Association, June 2019 For a copy in Braille, larger print or audio, please contact us on 020 7664 3000. We consider requests on an individual basis. REF 7.75
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