Councillors and case work
Case work means listening to the concerns and
problems of local people and trying to find solutions wherever
possible. The range of issues brought to councillors will vary and
can cover complex cases of schools admissions, fostering of
children and planning for new roads and housing developments
through to benefit claims, neighbourhood disputes, litter, dog mess
and faulty street lights.
Councillors who are active in their local
areas will also make sure they keep aware of, for example,
controversial local planning applications, see when street lights
are out and when rubbish is not being collected and if drains are
unable to cope with rain.
Dealing with these matters usually involves
making representations to the appropriate council full time officer
but also, from time to time, to the portfolio holder on the
executive. Sometimes the problems raised may not be able to be
solved by the council because it is not the council’s
responsibility. Then the councillor should play an advisory role by
ensuring the appropriate authorities, agencies or people are
contacted so the individual case can be resolved or dealt with. For
example, immigration matters are best referred to the local MP to
deal with as it a central government responsibility.
The good local councillor recognises that s/he
is not able to resolve all problems but makes themselves available
as a first point of contact. This is the councillor fulfilling a
community leadership role.
More on how to deal with case work can be
found at the Improvement and Development Agency for local
government (IDeA) (http://www.idea.gov.uk/)
