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NALC and LGA joint event explores the role of councillors
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Local Government Association (LGA) held a joint event on 14 November 2023 that explored the role of local councillors.
The event showed how community members could be the voice of their community by standing for election as local councillors. It provided a valuable opportunity to learn more about local councils, including parish and town councils, and the role councillors can play locally.
Jane Biscombe, clerk at Weymouth Town Council, Cllr Katharine Keats-Rohan of Wallingford Town Council and South Oxfordshire District Council, Cllr Chidi Nweke of Epping Forest District Council and Virginia Ponton, Be a Councillor adviser at the LGA.
Ms Biscombe spoke about her experience as a town clerk for Weymouth Town Council, where she has worked for over 30 years. She stressed the importance of representation in local government and stated, "Our communities are diverse, so our councils should represent this".
Cllr Keats-Rohan spoke about her journey to becoming a councillor and highlighted that you could play many roles as a councillor. She said. "There are three things a councillor can be: a negotiator, facilitator, and catalyst".
Cllr Nweke spoke about how working in local government is both empowering and rewarding and stated, "The reward of being a councillor is unmeasurable".
Ms Ponton hosted the event and opened it by highlighting the benefits of being a councillor. She stated. "You can achieve great things for individual residents and your local community".