1. Councils and Councillors

2. Introduction  Councils are also referred to as ‘Local Government’  Councils are divided into ‘wards’, areas which elect their own councillor (like mini- constituencies)  Councillors are responsible to make sure that council departments deliver good public services

3. Council Services  Councils provide a wide range of services such as education and leisure, housing, social work, community care, roads, refuse disposal, etc.  Council services are funded out of block grants from the government, council tax, council house rent, revenue from leisure facilities, etc.

4. Councillors monitor council services by  Pressurising council departments  Speaking up at council meetings or on committees  Voting at Council meetings  Writing to local MP/MSP or outside agencies  Holding surgeries where constituents can attend and ask for help with local problems  Use media to raise awareness

5. Councillors are effective because they  Live amongst the people they represent  Work locally and are in touch with ordinary people  Use council services themselves

6. Where does the money come from?  Most funding (80%) comes from Scottish Executive grants  East Lothian 2007-2008 = £139.4 million  Council Tax  Business Rates  Council Rent  http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/i nt/ms/localgov/filing/index.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/i nt/ms/localgov/filing/index.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/i nt/ms/localgov/filing/index.shtml