WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A SAY ON COMMUNITY MATTERS?
Following the resignation of Peter Prebble last November, the Parish Council would like to co-opt a new councillor to fill the casual vacancy.
Skills/experience/knowledge/abilities essential for any Parish Councillor:-
- Sound knowledge and understanding of local affairs and the local community
- Solid interest in local matters
- Ability and willingness to represent the Council and their community
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing
- Ability and willingness to work closely with other members and to maintain good working relationships with staff
- Good reading and analytic skills
- Ability and willingness to work with the council’s partners (eg voluntary groups, other parish councils, principal authority, charities)
- Ability and willingness to undertake relevant training
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability and willingness to attend meetings of the council (or the meetings of other local authorities and local bodies) in the evening and events in the evening and at weekends
- Flexible
- Enthusiastic
Other desirable, but not essential skills could be:-
- A levels/Degree level and/or specific Vocational training or professional qualification (eg accountant, teacher, surveyor, architect)
- Knowledge of HR, procurement, contract management, financial control or risk management and compliance, public relations
- Experience of working in another public body or not for profit organisation
- Experience of working with voluntary and or local community/ interest groups
- Basic knowledge of legal issues relating to town and parish councils or local authorities Experience of delivering presentations
- Experience of working with the media
- Experience in financial control/budgeting
- Experience of staff management
For more information on becoming and being a Parish Councillor please take a look at the Good Councillors Guide. This guide introduces the work of local councils and the part you play as a councillor in the tier of local government closest to the people. Its also a useful reference. It is divided into five parts to help you find your way as a new, or even as an experienced, councillor.