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April 2023 April 2023

are some guidelines which are on the website which people may find helpful. POETRY CORNER
There are elections this May for BCP (Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole) whilst
Dorset Council’s elections will be held in May 2024. Below is a summary of the role
and duties. An Ordinary Mum No, I like the simple things in life -
Councillors do not need any previous experience to become a councillor, they No glamour and footlights for me, Doing the shopping, tending the
just need a genuine commitment to help their local community. All councillors are I’m just an ordinary Mum. flowers,
expected to represent and champion the interests of the community, businesses I’m not one for blinding science, Making a cake, pulling up weeds -
and residents in their ward. By representing the views of local people, as a In fact in some ways I’m dumb! The simple things fill my waking hours.
community advocate, they can ensure that local community interests are
listened to. However, this is tempered by following their own instincts. They are I’m not into fast salesmanship, No world of entertainment for me,
representatives and not delegates. With persuasion and being smart. I’m as ordinary as they come.

Councillors can help residents on specific council related issues (casework). As a And I’m sure I should be useless No one’s ever called me an
councillor they will find that much of their time is taken up by contact with local In the field of commercial art. intellectual,
people, in the form of dealing with enquiries or complaints. Their role is to listen, Yes, I’m just an ordinary Mum.
explain council policy and make sure that the policy has been carried out
according to the correct procedures. They get help and support from council Life is Never Perfect Eileen Richardson
officers to deal with enquiries, requests for services and complaints. As they say, ‘Life is never perfect’

Councillors act as a communication channel between the council and its citizens. And Man is best when he’s trying to strive.
They promote citizens' interests and needs to the council and assist the public to For every day brings it’s problems,
better understand the issues being addressed by local government and the It’s all part of being alive.
services it provides.
For each of us every day is a challenge,
In addition, through a councillor’s democratic mandate, they can build Each one has his cross to bear.
relationships between different groups, organisations and individuals to achieve
solutions to local ward and county issues. Councillors may also be nominated by Each of us has to find out for himself,
the council to serve a wide range of organisations such as community groups and And sometime to learn how to care. What’s in a Name
charities, or to represent the council on local and regional bodies.
Every day is like a journey;
Councillors are responsible for the democratic decision-making at Dorset Council. We all set out, just as we are.
At full council meetings they agree the council’s annual budget and important Each one hoping to reach his own goal, Do with it what you will,
policies. In committee meetings, councillors make specific decisions on a range
of issues. And each one reaching for his star. But, think how much worse it
could be,
Being a unitary councillor will require a time commitment to address residents’ There is so much for Man to learn;
concerns, reply to communications and to attend meetings. Other calls on their Growing old, growing wise is part of living: If, in the spelling of “Shitterton”,
time may involve; attendance at local meetings, reading committee agendas Learning the greatest lesson of them all, There was no doube “t”.
and documents before the meeting, attending political group meetings, Learning the way to be forgiving.
evidence gathering in respect of scrutiny reviews, engaging with learning and
development opportunities, meeting with council officers, attending parish or And every day Man is searching,
town council meetings. For all the answers he hopes to find. Paul J Openshaw (March 2023)
A census of Local Authority Councillors found that councillors spend an average Maybe the answer is quite simple -
of 25 hours per week on council work. Councillors with additional Chairing or Love in every heart for all mankind.
Cabinet responsibilities spend significantly more than this!
Eileen Richardson

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