Councils and Councils and CouncillorsCouncillors

IntroductionIntroduction Councils are also referred to as ‘Local Councils are also referred to as ‘Local

Government’Government’ Councils are divided into ‘wards’, areas Councils are divided into ‘wards’, areas

which elect their own councillor (like mini-which elect their own councillor (like mini-constituencies)constituencies)

Councillors are responsible to make sure Councillors are responsible to make sure that council departments deliver good that council departments deliver good public servicespublic services

Council ServicesCouncil Services Councils provide a wide range of Councils provide a wide range of

services such as education and leisure, services such as education and leisure, housing, social work, community care, housing, social work, community care, roads, refuse disposal, etc.roads, refuse disposal, etc.

Council services are funded out of block Council services are funded out of block grants from the government, council tax, grants from the government, council tax, council house rent, revenue from leisure council house rent, revenue from leisure facilities, etc.facilities, etc.

Councillors Councillors monitor council monitor council services byservices by

Pressurising council departmentsPressurising council departments Speaking up at council meetings or on Speaking up at council meetings or on

committeescommittees Voting at Council meetingsVoting at Council meetings Writing to local MP/MSP or outside agenciesWriting to local MP/MSP or outside agencies Holding surgeries where constituents can Holding surgeries where constituents can

attend and ask for help with local problemsattend and ask for help with local problems Use media to raise awarenessUse media to raise awareness

Councillors are Councillors are effective because effective because theythey

Live amongst the people they representLive amongst the people they represent Work locally and are in touch with Work locally and are in touch with

ordinary peopleordinary people Use council services themselvesUse council services themselves

Where does the money Where does the money come from?come from?

Most funding (80%) comes from Scottish Most funding (80%) comes from Scottish Executive grantsExecutive grants

East Lothian 2007-2008 = £139.4 millionEast Lothian 2007-2008 = £139.4 million Council Tax Council Tax Business RatesBusiness Rates Council RentCouncil Rent http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/ihttp://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/i

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