HAVE you ever considered standing as a town counillor? Celia Stevens was co-opted onto Calne Town Council a year ago and here she shares an insight into what the role involes and what you can expect if it is role that interests you.
by Cllr Celia Stevens
A year on Calne Town Council!
A year ago I was co-opted onto Calne Town Council. I thought that residents and anyone who is considering standing for election might be interested to read about what I’ve been up to in this role – and my thoughts about being a councillor.
So the role involves:
- Attending public council and committee meetings once or twice a month - mostly looking at recommendations from working groups and officers, weighing up options and making final decisions about how limited council resources should be used.
Preparing for, and attending these is time consuming but also a key responsibility. - Responding to residents questions and worries via email or via social media
- Attending civic events and consultations – being available to listen to the public
- Some councillors are linked to community groups as council representatives
- Belonging to working groups – this is by choice - see more below
- Responding to events – eg the re-opening of the High St. Some councillors met with Highways to discuss safety concerns. We’re not completely happy with the trial, but I think those discussions made some difference.
To make a difference as a councillor, I think you need to get stuck into the hard work behind the scenes and be involved with the some of the working groups. These are where councillors (from all parties) work closely together, discussing ideas with council officers.
Councils are constrained by all sorts of things which I certainly didn’t realise and this can make the process of getting things to happen extremely frustrating. However, this week, final plans for the first phase of The Rec improvements went out to tender so real progress has been made – coming from the hard work of officers combined with councillor input.
I am on the Planning, Licensing and Highways committee. Having been involved with the Calne Community Neighbourhood Plan, I care deeply about how planning developments affect the town. In an ideal world most of us would prefer not to have more houses in Calne but at times we have to be realistic. I was one of two councillors who spoke at the recent appeal for a site on the NE of Calne to oppose it but at the same time give reasons – based on planning policies, as to what would make it a better development were it to go ahead,
(reassurances about flooding danger, need for better noise protections, need for a pedestrian crossing). We didn’t get all of what we wanted but the inspector acknowledged several points and they resulted in some positive changes to the plans.
Councillors, should, I believe have strong community links and be ready to listen to residents – not just on social media but in person at council events in the town and just by being out and about. Although many of us belong to political parties, that does not generally have any impact on how we work – our aim is to work for the best for Calne. I have really enjoyed the last year – even if challenging at times. It’s a privilege to have this role and shouldn’t be taken on lightly. It’s an opportunity to make a small difference to Calne – a place I love living
in.
Celia Stevens
Calne Town Councillor North Ward
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