What Does a Local Councillor Actually Do?

Connie Hersch explains the role they play in local government in Ealing

Connie Hersch (right) with Cllr Jon Ball outside their venue for surgeries

June 8, 2023

My name is Connie Hersch and I became a local councillor for the Liberal Democrats in Ealing a year ago and have been often asked “What does a councillor do?”. I take a deep breath and say ‘everything’.

Ealing Council deals with almost every aspect of people’s lives. Allegedly there are over 800 different services a council can provide. This ranges from cleaning our streets, removing fly tipping, where is the best place for a bus stop and bigger questions such as Strategic Planning which directs planning in the borough for the next 15 years.

A councillor in Ealing is elected for four years by people in a ward (a smaller local area in the borough). There are 24 wards in Ealing, each represented by on average 3 councillors (70 all together). There are council officers who provide the administrative functions and do day to day work of the Council, which impacts on all our lives from collecting waste to administering refunds for council tax to deciding to allow building on green spaces. They are directed by the majority party (Labour in Ealing) who make the strategic decisions.

Councillors are elected by the residents of each area (ward) of the borough and are a link between residents and the council. We represent political parties. On a day-to-day basis we can provide help for local residents to

navigate services, bring residents’ concerns to the council chamber, committees or specialist officers. As councillors we decide on policies and actions through our voting in council meetings.

The majority party decides on the Council Leader and the Cabinet. It is they who set the future focus and strategic direction for delivery across the borough. So, when people say they don’t like the Council they mean they don’t like Labour. Labour has been in control in Ealing since 2010 that is as long as the Conservatives have been in Downing Street.

I am a member of the Liberal Democrats and part of the official opposition in Ealing. We provide a critical review and scrutiny of the cabinet’s decision, actions and plans – a fundamental part of every working democracy. Most of the meetings where these challenges happen are open to the public. Any resident can ask questions in the full council meeting which will be answered by the Council Leader or a Cabinet Member (by prior arrangement).

Broader issues which need the attention of a wider audience, are often raised in the local press or communicate with letters and leaflets. As Councillors we are a link between residents and the council engaging with our communities in a regular way.

The Liberal Democrats offer a monthly opportunity to come and talk to us (the Ealing Common ward surgeries at University of West London -W5 5RF- every second Saturday excluding August at 14:00 – Sat 10 June 2pm, Sat 8 July 2pm & Sat 9 September 2pm).

Our role is both challenging and rewarding. We can help improve people’s lives in small, meaningful ways and advise for larger issues. We often would like to see faster and better help for residents but are constrained by resource limits of the council, as well as other restrictions and rules.

The first past the post system of politics necessitates an often adversarial approach in politics although it is also about collaboration and compromise in order to get the best for our residents and their needs. As a councillor in public life, it can be both challenging and rewarding in equal measure.

Councillor Connie Hersch, Member of the Liberal Democrat Opposition