12 April, 2024
A Town Councillor’s main role is first to represent their ward, and then the wider town, and the people who live in it, acting as a bridge between community and council.
They should be an advocate for residents, signposting them to the right people at the right council for help, and keeping people informed on issues which affect them. Town Councillors can lead on community campaigns to bring welcome change or to prevent damaging initiatives and
should be a voice for residents to reach the people who make the decisions which affect them.
The Town Council meets at least once a month, and has a number of committees and working groups which meet in between, and Councillors should do their best to attend every month and to be at any committee or working group which is discussing issues of concern to their residents. Through these meetings, Councillors help to develop the policies and strategies which guide the work of the Council as it seeks to achieve its vision for Wellington.
Councillors are bound by a Code of Conduct requiring them to behave in a reasonable and responsible manner and to show respect to everybody else regardless of whether or not they agree with their views. They are also required to conduct all Council business in line with the Council’s Financial Regulations and Standing Orders. Each Councillor declares a Register of Interests at the commencement of his/her term of office and must declare any personal or financial interest relating to any Council activities or decisions.
Failure to act appropriately may lead to a complaint being made against a Councillor which would be investigated by the District Council’s Standards Board and disciplinary measures might follow.
