What happens after the election?
Before you officially become a county councillor you will need to sign a declaration of acceptance of office and agree to fulfil your duties and comply with the council's code of conduct.
Induction and training
We offer a comprehensive induction and training package to all members.
Our aim is to ensure that appropriate, relevant and effective development opportunities are made available to members and facilitated by Member and Democratic Services.
It is important for newly elected councillors to attend induction sessions – they are designed to help you be effective democratic representatives.
As part of your introduction to the council, there will be induction sessions for you to attend.
Membership of committees and panels
The proportion of seats each political group gets on each committee or panel is determined by the number of group members they may have.
Your group leader will ask you which committees and panels you might be interested in. They decide who is nominated for places on the committees.
Current committees and panels you may be invited to join include:
- Overview and Scrutiny Committees
- Planning Committee
- Pensions Committee
- Audit and Standards Committee
You may want to go along to some of the meetings as a member of the public prior to your election to familiarise yourself with them. You can also watch live and archived meetings of Cabinet, County Council, Planning and some Overview and Scrutiny Committees.
There will be support and assistance on understanding the role of a committee that you become part of.
Representation on 'outside bodies'
'Outside bodies' are organisations and charities to which the council appoints representatives. There are currently well over a hundred. As a councillor you may be asked by the Leader of the Council to be a representative on one or more of these bodies.
Member fund
Member grant funds have been a key part of supporting Staffordshire's communities, as a way of investing so that people can help each other in the places where they live. County councillors' have funding available to support a range of community activities through the community fund which community groups can apply for.
What support can I expect?
The Member and Democratic Services team provide dedicated support to help councillors meet their day-to-day responsibilities. Following the election you will be allocated a 'buddy' who will help you through the first few months after election. You will soon get to know the officers who will support you in your various roles.
Accessing information
Most of the information you need to be effective in your new role as a councillor will be available online. Staffordshire's Intranet and public website contains lots of information on the council, the way it works, its services and the local area.
Council papers will be provided electronically rather than in paper form and we will offer you access to county council IT equipment.
In addition we would expect you to have a telephone number, either home or mobile, that you are willing to make available to the public.
Allowances
All councillors are entitled to a basic allowance.
Those with additional roles may also receive a special responsibility allowance (SRA) which reflects the level of responsibility and expected time commitment. You can also claim travel and subsistence along with the cost of childcare or dependent care.
Further information on the current members' allowances scheme is available in the council's constitution.
