1. Steve Lugg H.A.L.C.

2. New and Potential Councillors Presentation

3. What’s the Hampshire ALC? Hampshire Association of Local Councils Serves the 255 (262 from 1 st Apr 2010) councils & meetings across Hampshire Information, query support, legal opinion, project funding signposting, training and development, representation, networking 3 FTE staff, CE only full-time staff member

4. What is a parish council? Nearly 9,000 across the country Can be styled parish, village, community or town council First tier of local government Part of a national pyramid network Diversity is the key, no two councils are identical! Expenditure not capped!

5. How do you become a town council? By resolution Chairman becomes Mayor Civic and ceremonial All town councils are parish councils Tend to be more politicised Tend to be more formal in meetings

6. What do local councils do? Representing the local community Delivering services and facilities to meet local need Striving to maintain and improving quality of life Two-way conduit of information

7. So they could be doing...... Allotments Footpaths Burial grounds Bus shelters Commons Leisure facilities Crime reduction Community transport Tourism Litter bins Youth Projects Open Spaces Toilets Planning Lighting Traffic Calming Seating and much more!

8. Powers and Duties Duties Powers S. 137 Local Government Act 1972 Power of Well-being

9. Making Decisions Council can only make decisions as a corporate body, in a properly set meeting Bounded by Local Government Act 1972 and successive Acts Clerk is impartial officer, Chief Exec Code of Conduct Agendas and Minutes

10. Where does the money come from? Precept Expenditure not capped Respond to community, not other councils Robust budget-setting process Grant funding Borrowing

11. Eligibility to become a councillor British citizen, or commonwealth subject or citizen of EU 18 years or older on the day you are nominated Resident or work in the area Cannot stand if subject of bankruptcy or interim order, or criminal conviction or if you work for the council you want to be a Cllr for

12. What does a Cllr do? Decision making Risk management and monitoring Local involvement Representation and engagement Lead Projects and Services

13. How much time? NALC believes an average is around three hours a week? Diversity again. The more committees..... Concentrate on making a difference A better place to live and work Remember you are representing your electorate not yourself

14. Keys to success Listen to your Clerk Adopt a learning attitude Training and development vital to grow Understand your priorities Work within the Code of Conduct Get involved with the networks Don’t feel intimidated, enjoy it!

15. Web resources www.hampshire-alc.gov.uk www.nalc.gov.uk www.dopolitics.org.uk www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

16. Contact details Hampshire ALC 02380 263 438 hampshirealc@hants.gov.uk 121a Winchester Road, Chandler’s Ford SO53 2DR