2.         MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL

2.1       Composition and Eligibility

(a)        Composition - The Council comprises 42 Members, otherwise called Councillors, to be elected by the voters of each ward in accordance with a scheme drawn up by the Electoral Commission and approved by the Secretary of State.

(b)        Eligibility – Only persons aged 18 years or over who are registered voters of the Borough, or those occupying property or working there (or doing so for the 12 months preceding nomination and the day of poll) will be eligible to hold the office of Councillor, provided they are not otherwise disqualified.

2.2       Election and Terms of Office of Councillors

Election and Terms of Office - The regular election of Councillors will be held on the first Thursday in May every four years.  The Terms of Office of Councillors will start on the fourth day after being elected and will finish on the fourth day after the date of the next regular election.

2.3       Key Roles - All Councillors will:

(i)         collectively, be the ultimate policy-makers and carry out a number of strategic and corporate management functions;

(ii)        represent their communities and bring their views into the Council’s decision-making process, i.e. become the Advocate of, and for, their communities;

(iii)       deal with individual casework and act as an advocate for constituents in resolving particular concerns or grievances;

(iv)       balance different interests identified within the Ward and represent the Ward as a whole;

(v)       be involved in decision-making;

(vi)       be available to represent the Council on other bodies; and

(vii)      maintain the highest standards of conduct and ethics.

2.4       Conduct

Councillors will, at all times, observe the Members’ Code of Conduct and the protocols relating to councillors, as set out in Part 4 of this Constitution.

2.5       Allowances

Councillors will be entitled to receive allowances in accordance with the Members’ Allowances Scheme, as set out in Part 6 of this Constitution.

 

 

2.6       Disclosure and Registration of Interests

The Code of Conduct requires all Members to register certain interests, in a register of interests.  The register of interests is maintained by the Borough Solicitor as Monitoring Officer.  It is available for inspection on the Council’s website.