The document discusses local government and the roles of councils and councillors. It explains that a local council is made up of councillors elected from each ward to represent local people and make decisions. Councillors can be part of different political parties or be independent. They are responsible for local services and get funding from central government, business rates, and council tax. The national government also has influence over local policies and decisions.
5. How can I communicate with my Councillor? … but the most common ways of communicating are through letter or by attending a surgery (a session held by the Cllr where you can go along and speak 1-1 about issues affecting you)
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7. council tax is calculated based upon the value of your home, the greater the value, the greater the tax. … but in 1990 it was different – the ‘Community Charge’ or Poll Tax was a single rate tax charged per adult. It’s introduction led to widespread direct action including rioting and refusal to pay. The tax was very unpopular, only 2% of people supported it, this helped to bring down Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the tax was scrapped in 1992 when council tax took over.
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9. In 2008, Ed Balls (Children, Schools & Families Secretary) sacked Sharon Shoesmith who was in charge of Children's Services at Haringey Council in London. This happened after the Baby P case where a 17 month old boy died after abuse from his mother and her boyfriend. A report found a ‘ catalogue of errors’ by the Council. This shows that central government still holds power over local government .
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11. Your representatives and the media Just last month a Harrow councillor was forced to apologise after making posting about rivals on his blog– a form of new media. But it was traditional media, the local newspaper that reported the issue to the public. Does the media always represent our interests?
