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The future of the ward councillor is coming under growing scrutiny. Commentators and practitioners alike find it difficult to assess whether we are witnessing the steady extinction of an outdated political breed, or gearing up for the emergence of the local political superhero. For the health and wellbeing of democracy in the UK, a new generation of frontline councillors is essential. They will not be superheroes but facilitators, leaders, ambassadors. They will emerge from a diversity of party political persuasions – and none – and they will build on the strengths of their predecessors. But without a radical overhaul in the local democratic context in which they operate, few will emerge at all. The local government White Paper has attempted to reassert the importance of local councillors, describing them as ‘democratic champions' and ‘the bedrock of local democracy'. It has promised an independent review into the barriers and incentives to becoming a local councillor, and it has encouraged local councils to establish a more clearly-defined role description and offer greater capacity-building and support. The Bill promises a community-call-for-action and strengthened powers for overview and scrutiny, streamlined bye-laws and more effective parish or ‘neighbourhood' councils. But will any of this go far enough? For a new generation of frontline councillors to emerge, three more fundamental conditions must be put right. First, frontline councillors must have enhanced powers, providing greater accountability for mayors, leaders and executives, and greater freedom to offer leadership in their neighbourhoods. Rather than tinkering, it would be better to replace the current system of overview and scrutiny with a more dynamic, engaging and powerful system of select committees and neighbourhood inquiries with greater powers. At a more local level, every council should develop neighbourhood action plans, community governance arrangements and ward-based information reports for areas of no bigger than 10,000 households or three wards, whichever is the smaller. Second, frontline councillors must build on their accountability and representativeness by more progressive recruitment, the revitalisation of local elections, and by drawing on more effective support. Political parties have a particular role to play in relation to councillor recruitment. The recent Liberal Democrat announcement of a special fund to support candidates from under-represented groups is an important step, but there should be some agreed ‘national standards' rigorously applied. Local authorities should be given powers to pilot alternative voting systems. We need a reduction in the voting age, councillor ‘taster courses', and to replace the ‘deposit' system with prospective candidate gathering a petition of support instead. Once elected, councillors need a remuneration package, and to be supported by a named officer. Only when these two conditions are put right will the third fall into place and frontline councillors enjoy a boost in their public profile and perception. The Electoral Commission should be invited to develop a clear communications strategy for revitalising public perceptions of local democracy, with a particular focus on a national campaign on becoming a local councillor, similar to those it has run on voting. Enhanced powers. Enhanced accountability. Enhanced public perception. Without these three conditions, becoming a local councillor will remain an unattractive vocation and recruitment will be tough. Ed Cox is policy analyst for the Local Government Information Unit

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WHITEHALL

A hard act to follow

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