Councillors find role rewarding - but pay price with lack of a social life, research study finds

Councillors say they have a “difficult if not impossible” job to try to maintain any kind of social life outside the role, according to the first report from a national inquiry of elected representatives.



The interim findings of the Councillor Commission – an independent review of the role and work of councillors - has just been published. It has been taken from the results of roundtable discussions, interviews with and written submissions from councillors carried out around the country.

More interviews are still being carried out – and the team still wants to hear from as many people as possible – before the final report is prepared and presented to the Government.

But so far, common themes are emerging, said Professor Colin Copus, chair of the commission, from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU)’s Local Governance Research Unit.

Among the results of the interim report are:

•    Councillors are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain their councillor roles alongside full-time jobs, and believe this could be a factor in putting off younger people from becoming councillors

•     Councillors who are not on the ruling executive of a council feel less involved in decision-making

•    Many feel frustrated by the quick fixes expected by constituents and the media, and the lack of understanding about their role and what they can achieve

•    As councils increasingly adopt partnership working with organisations like police, NHS or charities, councillors are taking on a new role in negotiating agreements – but with varying degrees of support from offices

•    A feeling that central Government lacks understanding about the work of councillors

Prof Copus, of DMU’s Department of Politics and Public Policy, said: “The commission has collected evidence from councillors across the country and it is clear that wherever councillors are and whatever type of councillors they sit on, they face a complex array of policy problems which cannot always be solved by the powers available to them.

“Another thing is clear and that is that our councillors make considerable person sacrifices and work above and beyond the call of duty in governing and serving their communities.”

The project aims to provide policy makers with a better understanding of the office of councillor and of the contribution councillors make to their communities, as well as seeking to further public and policy debate and understanding about local government and local democracy.

Commissioners are Sir Merrick Cockell, chairman of UK Municipal Bonds Agency and London Pensions Fund Authority; Jessica Crowe of the London Borough of Sutton head of customers, commissioning and governance; Heather Jameson, editor of Municipal Journal; Jacqui Mckinley, executive director, Centre for Public Scrutiny; Lord Gary Porter, chairman of the Local Government Association; Councillor Mike Evans, Chairman of Whiteley Town Council, Vice-chairman of Hampshire Association of Local Councils; and Anthony Zarcharzewski, director of the Democratic Society.

The researcher is DMU PhD student Rachel Wall, who has also been leading the parish council stream of the commission with Cllr Mike Evans.

So far there have been 21 round table discussions at councils, nearly 150 written submissions plus scores of contributions and conversations on social media.  

Council officers, academics, community groups and other interested parties are also being asked for their views. A dedicated email councillors@dmu.ac.uk has been set up for people to get in touch.

This commission is being funded by #DMUlocal, the university’s embodiment of its commitment to the public good. Research funded by #DMUlocal uses the skills of staff to effect positive change.