Councillors Surgery
- 22 October 2011 20:28132795Thanks Chris , I look forward to it
- 22 October 2011 22:25132820If certain councillors do not hold surgeries, then what are they there for, exactly?I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
23 October 2011 08:35132839peter;
i thought you would be the one to ask this, i will try to look at this in a very balanced way.
cllrs like any other breed of humans have talents in all different areas.
some cllrs(wont name any to save embarrassment)
are very good at being leaders of the community, and getting communities to help themselves, and so hold regular surgeries, are part of the furniture and either hold positions within the community as volunteers, or advisors.
then there are cllrs who are more District wide cllrs see the bigger picture, not all are capable of this.
then there are the political cllrs there to either further publicise the party they are with and often forget who elected them and why they are there.
then there are cllrs that are able to do all these things.
we then have a few cllrs who would be good if they concentrated on just a couple of issues rather than taking on loads of issues then failing badly.
i held monthly surgeries in my 25 years as i feel its just one more way of communicating with the general public and like chris tried to encourage others to do the same, but sadly had to go alone as there was little take up.
some cllrs will say rather than sitting around in a surgery they are better using that hour in the community, but thats just me trying to balance this.
peter
i hope this helps,,,,
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,894
23 October 2011 08:55132845And then there are councillors who do nothing or very little having got the title councillor.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
------------------------------------------------------------------- - Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
23 October 2011 09:07132848oh dear jan;
i try to put it all in a positive way
there are good ward cllrs
there are good district wide cllrs
looking at the positivesALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 23 October 2011 09:18132851Well balanced post there Keith.
- Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
23 October 2011 09:21132852sue
thankyou i do try to be fair ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 23 October 2011 09:34132854Hardly. If I elect someone I expect them to manage the entire job and that doesn't include "doing it all" - delegation matters. But it does include meeting the people and being available to understand what real issues are for real people. Surgeries or something similar seem an ideal opportunity and easily managed.
- Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
23 October 2011 12:35132889bern;
i have attempted to balance the issue.
surgeries is a way of reaching people but that doesnt mean because you don't hold surgeries that you dont meet people, as there are many others ways to meet people including on there doorsteps which many cllrs do.ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 23 October 2011 12:43132894But that is easier to fudge and although it means - and this is clearly good - that those unable to attend surgeries have a voice, it also means that it is less easy to audit voter contact.
- Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
23 October 2011 12:47132895BERN;
Sadly there is no audit of cllrs engaging with the public apart from each 4 years at the ballot box.
so whether or not surgeries are held is not a real audit
i feel iv tried to put as balanced view as i can on the issueALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 23 October 2011 12:55132899Make monthly surgeries a pre-requiste..they appear to have plenty of time free to attend 'functions' where free tea and sarnies are being provided.Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 23 October 2011 13:01132900#31 - I can hardly believe there is no audit of voter contact!!! Blimey - customer contact audits go without saying in many professions and services.
- Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
23 October 2011 13:16132902MAREK;
I'v tried a balanced view, and recognisd there are a few hard workling cllrs out there, holding surgeries doesn't make you a better cllr.
and for some members of the public surgeries is not the best optionALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 23 October 2011 13:18132903I just said that. But it is almost incredible that there is no audit of voter contact! And even if surgeries are not everyones preferred option, they are good for some people, reliable if held regularly and consistently, and can increase a councillors credibility and accountability. What's not to like?!
- Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
23 October 2011 13:32132905bern;
im sorry if im keeping on lol
but we should not decide how a cllr should carry out his/her role.
for some surgerires work
for others such things as twitter etc work
othrers a knock on the door.
all different methods of communication but i dont think its right we should impose any one methodALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 23 October 2011 13:32132906Now I have been in trouble on this forum....shame, because I am an absolutely newcomer................who has lived and known Dover for a lifetime and before.
Fundamentaly, it is a tragedy what and is happening, or not happening to the Town.
In this observation, I have tried, with comments to bring the Councillors out of their comfort zone...and find out exactly how many there are? what they do, and who or to whom they are accountable?
We have the Town Councillors, the District Councillors.....I have gathered some are twinned to this.......where can you obtain a full list of the Councillors, where they are, their remit, and what they actually do.......Open Surgeries would help.
I have no axe to grind, with individuals......apart from Nigel Collyer and the seafront toilets
I think, in the past, and possibly the present....Councillors are relying on the apathy and negativity of the general public to not be open and accountable....
Mr Sansum....was a very hard working Councillor in his time, a long time of 30 years, but he become disillusioned and tired....fair enough...but so many of the good ones do.....and you wonder why.....
- 23 October 2011 13:35132907Another issue is attendance at meetings. Two town councillors last year only attended 17% and 21% respectively of the council and committee meetings they should have. That is wholly unacceptable.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
23 October 2011 13:39132908charlie;
thankyou for doing a little more homework on my cllr role rather than just putting me down as in previous posts.
on the question of cllrs/councils
we now have far to many cllrs and councils
and for each of these councils/cllrs through our council tax it is coslting us a small fortune.
and we could easily do away with at least one council saving a small fortune.ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 23 October 2011 13:40132909mr norman
full details of all your councillors can be found on the websites of dover district council, dover town council and kent county council.
if you are lucky like me you will have a total of 9 spread across the 3 councils.