Published on:
23
July 2008
Over 900 constituents' enquiries, raised through elected members, have been investigated since the last Local Government elections.
One of the most important aspects of the elected members' role is to represent the interests of the local community. When a constituent raises an issue or concern with one of their councillors, the councillor often decides to take the matter forward on their behalf.
Constituents' enquiries have covered every service that the Council provides, from education and housing to waste management and roads. While requests for a Council service should be dealt with through the Council's contact centre, members of the public can raise an issue with their councillor when they have a concern about a Council policy, decision or service. While the councillor often cannot reverse a decision, they can help to have the procedures made clear and to explain the reasons for a decision.
There are many ways that a constituent can contact their councillors - face-to-face at surgeries, by telephone, in writing, or by email. All the contact information for each councillor is available online at www.clackweb.org.uk and on posters situated in local libraries and Council offices.
The multi-member ward system which was introduced across Scotland last year means that each member of the public is represented by three or four ward councillors. Every constituent has the option of choosing which of their ward councillor they contact.
In addition to being a ward councillor the council leader, Councillor Janet Cadenhead, is responsible for community planning, corporate policy and strategy and corporate governance. She represents the Council on national issues and is the lead political voice for the Council at CoSLA and other local government forums.
Clackmannanshire's civic head is Provost Derek Stewart. The Provost is also convenor of the Council and continues to carry out the normal duties of an elected member, so fulfils both political and ceremonial duties.
Councillor Stewart's role also involves representing the Council on numerous bodies and organisations, such as Clackmannanshire District Charitable Trust, Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust, Clackmannanshire Sports Council, the Comrie Trust and the Spittal Trust.
Importantly, the Provost also greets members of the Royal family and visiting Heads of State in conjunction with Lord Lieutenant Sheena Cruickshank. Provost Stewart works closely with Mrs Cruickshank on many civic duties including acknowledging 100th birthdays, diamond (60th) wedding anniversaries and other special occasions.
Other duties include the active promotion of Clackmannanshire. This involves a wide range of duties from hosting civic receptions for visitors and acting as the county's ambassador, to taking part in a wide variety of activities involving Clackmannanshire's many groups and organisations.
The Council has established five portfolios which are held by councillors. The portfolio holders are:
Sustainability - Councillor Eddie Carrick. Takes the lead on assessing the social, economic and environmental impact of policy proposals, ensuring that Council decisions make the best use of resources.
Inclusion - Councillor George Matchett. Takes the lead on education, community development, leisure, criminal justice and youth justice issues.
Regeneration - Councillor Sam Ovens. Takes the lead on housing, the Regeneration Outcome Agreement, health and social services issues.
Partnership - Councillor Kenny Earle. Ensures that the Council involves local communities, partner organisations and other stakeholders in the formulation of Council policy and that their views inform key decisions.
Scrutiny - Councillor Donald Balsillie. Evaluating the effectiveness of the Council, highlighting instances where targets have not been met and highlighting areas of good performance.
A small team of staff provide Members Services, processing and monitoring all enquiries, making travel arrangements, dealing with correspondence and updating diaries. Member Services staff are the first point to contact for constituents and organisations requesting an appointment or advice from a councillor. The service makes best use of technology to progress the work initiated by Clackmannanshire's 18 councillors.
Issues and concerns about wider issues of national government policy should be raised with the area's national politicians - MSP Keith Brown at Holyrood and MP Gordon Banks at Westminster.
More information about Clackmannanshire's councillors and members services is available on the Council's website at www.clacksweb.org.uk or by calling 452011.