It depends on how much time, effort and commitment you are able to give to the role. The minimum is likely to be attendance at the six meetings of the Full Council and any meetings of committees, working groups or outside bodies that you may be appointed to. Some councillors spend considerably more time than others on council business, especially if they have taken on a leading role such as Cabinet Member. A significant impact on your time commitment will be time spent dealing with issues raised within your electoral division. You may also be asked by your political party to undertake a specific role or responsibility within your party.
You will not get a salary but you will receive a basic allowance (currently £ 9,534) and you are eligible for payments to cover travel and subsistence for approved duties. Councillors with specific responsibilities such as members of the Council's Cabinet and chairs of committees receive additional allowances.
See 'Members' Allowance Scheme' for further details of the allowances paid to councillors.
Professional officers of the council will provide information and advice to help you carry out your duties, and Democratic Services in the Office of the Chief Executive provide administrative and secretarial support to all councillors.
As part of the County Council's Member Development Strategy, newly elected councillors are encouraged to attend induction training. Furthermore, to help support and develop you in your role as a councillor there is a comprehensive training programme open to you. A dedicated team of both Members and Officers meets regularly to ensure that Councillors are getting the appropriate training they need to perform effectively. You will also be provided with a personal development interview to help identify your specific training and development needs and this in turn will influence the training and development opportunities offered to both you and your fellow councillors. In the first few weeks, you can also rely directly upon the support of nominated Members, who because of their previous experience, can guide you in getting to know the workings of the County Council and your role within it. For the first few months, you will also be offered a personal Officer contact to support and signpost you to the various information and communication systems and resources available to you.
You may be nominated to attend conferences and seminars on a wide range of issues affecting local government.
You will be offered a laptop and printer for use at home with email and Internet access and a mobile telephone. There are also various facilities at County Hall for Members to use when in the building for meetings or other duties. For example, you will have access to the Members' Room where you can work in private and, if you are a member of a political party, to your group room.All Members are required to sign the County Councils Code of Conduct. You must observe the Code whenever you:
a) conduct the business of the Authority
b) conduct the business of the office to which you have been elected or appointed
c) act as a representative of the Authority
A copy of the Code of Conduct can be found at Councillors Code of Conduct - Appendix E
Information about the Standards Board for England which promotes the ethical behaviour of Members can be found at http://www.standardsboard.co.uk