Influencing your local councillor

The councillor's role takes in:

• community leadership and engagement
• representing their area at local government level
• ensuring local people’s concerns are voiced and acted upon
• decision-making

Your local councillor is someone who is elected to represent local people’s interests on the council. A councillor provides a vital link between the council and the local community, ensuring that the council considers the needs of local people in every decision it makes.

Depending on the type of council, your councillor is responsible for services such as education, highways and transport and public protection. Your councillor can make or review decisions on how these services are provided.

They're the best people to talk to if you have a problem with local services such as school provision, a local road, or getting accessible housing. They can speak on your behalf to the relevant department within the council that can make change happen for you.

There are many different ways to get in touch with your councillor. You can attend their local surgery, drop by to a local council meeting or contact your local authority.

To find out the name of your local councillor (England and Wales) or to find out where your local advice surgery is visit: www.direct.gov.uk