Being a Councillor

Name of Local Council:Merton Parish Council  
Description of Office:Parish Councillor  
    

COMPETENCY

ESSENTIAL

  DESIRABLE (not exhaustive)

 
Relevant knowledge,  Education, Professional Qualifications & Training

§  Sound knowledge and understanding of local affairs and the local community.

§  Vocation or professional qualification

 
Experience, Skills, Knowledge and Ability

§  Solid interest in local matters.

§  Ability and willingness to represent the Council and their community.

§  Good interpersonal skills.

§  Ability to communicate succinctly and clearly both orally and in writing.

§  Ability and willingness to work closely with other members and to maintain good working relationships with all members and staff.

§  Good reading and analytic skills.

§  Ability and willingness to work with the council’s partners (e.g. voluntary groups, other parish councils, principal authority, charities).

§  Ability and willingness to undertake relevant training.

§  Ability to work under pressure.

§  Experience of working or being a member in a local authority or other public body.

§  Experience of working with voluntary and or local community/ interest groups.

§  Basic knowledge of legal issues relating to town and parish councils or local authorities.

§  Good standard of computer literacy.

§  Experience of delivering presentations.

§  Experience of working with the media.

§  Experience in financial control/ budgeting.

§  HR experience.

 
Circumstances

§  Ability and willingness to attend meetings of the council (or the meetings of other local authorities and local bodies) in the evening and events in the evening and at weekends.

§  Flexible and committed to the Council

§  Enthusiastic.

 

§  Willingness to take on leadership roles