[First time I've posted, so I hope I've got this to start as a new thread]

Originally posted by DerekH
I would agree that it does make things a little harder to sort things out but attendance to council meetings are held twice a week if my memory serves me correct and the renumeration reflects that.
Your memory must be faulty. Council meetings are a lot more than twice a week, and council meetings are not the only workload to being a councillor. How can I justify turning up to, say, a planning meeting without having done the background work neccessary to the work involved? Also, tgere's casework, representing constituents, background research....

When I was first elected in 1999 I kept a time diary to check how much work I was doing. I averaged 31.5 hours a week, for 7758 pounds a year. That works out at 4.74 an hour.

I have an outside business and I've had to commit a lot less time to it than I would have like to keep it running properly, committing time to being a councillor instead.

--
J.G.Harston
Councillor for Walkley ward

Originally posted by jgharston
[First time I've posted, so I hope I've got this to start as a new thread]


Your memory must be faulty. Council meetings are a lot more than twice a week, and council meetings are not the only workload to being a councillor. How can I justify turning up to, say, a planning meeting without having done the background work neccessary to the work involved? Also, tgere's casework, representing constituents, background research....

When I was first elected in 1999 I kept a time diary to check how much work I was doing. I averaged 31.5 hours a week, for 7758 pounds a year. That works out at 4.74 an hour.

I have an outside business and I've had to commit a lot less time to it than I would have like to keep it running properly, committing time to being a councillor instead.J.G.Harston
Councillor for Walkley ward

I can't dissagree with you on anything that you have stated but I would just like to say that I do around 20 hours a week looking into the proposals that will ultimatly affect my own area.

I work sometimes a 50 hour week but still find the time to get involved with local issues.
I don't keep a diary on what actual time I do spend but I have had complaints from my family regarding the time that I spend with them.

As for going to meetings etc. I did not wish to imply that everyone goes to meetings without having done the leg work first without getting all the facts regarding the issues to be discussed. (this would be a pointless effort)
If anything....I find that even when I attend meetings at my place of work I do not take into consideration the time and effort that I put into getting the information ready for the meeting.

Other things take up my time that I suppose I don't have to do but enjoy doing.
Tonight for instance I have the South African Firefighters Team from the world games at my home for a S.A. Braaivleis...(barbacue)

It does seem that to become a councillor you need to be pretty self sufficient financially, OR be able to act at a senior level where the allowances are greater, OR have a partner who earns sufficiently.

It's not really for the ordinary working person though.

Regardless, anyone who gives up such a large proportion of their personal life commands my personal respect.

I do believe that most people go into council (not necessarily politics) for belief that they can help to make a difference for the better for others.

Originally posted by Tony
It does seem that to become a councillor you need to be pretty self sufficient financially, OR be able to act at a senior level where the allowances are greater, OR have a partner who earns sufficiently.

It's not really for the ordinary working person though.

Regardless, anyone who gives up such a large proportion of their personal life commands my personal respect.

I do believe that most people go into council (not necessarily politics) for belief that they can help to make a difference for the better for others.

CHEERS Tony!.....

Your one comment about trying to go onto the council but not politics has hit the nail on the head,
However you have to belong to some form of party where more than one person can get a seat, as the ruling party is able to out vote an individual on issues should they want to.

If I went as an independent and got elected, I would not be able to do anything as I would be outnumbered when my issues come up for discussion should they interfere with the ruling party's plans.

As far as the work.....I finished at 2am this morning after having a great time with the team...........All I have to do now is get ready for the next do which will be on Tuesday.

So you are councillors.. Could you please tell me why Sheffield is taking so long to devalop into a major city like leeds and why we can only see 2 cranes in the sky?? Its pitiful!!!

Originally posted by DerekH
If I went as an independent and got elected, I would not be able to do anything as I would be outnumbered when my issues come up for discussion should they interfere with the ruling party's plans.

.

Quite the reverse Derek if you think about it. If the numbers of seats split between the main parties was nip and tuck and you were elected as an Independent then you could possibly be the most powerful Councillor on the Council because your vote may actually control the balance of power. You would be a free agent to speak and vote as you wished and you wouldn't have the racist label around your neck! Think about it.

Originally posted by Mo
Quite the reverse Derek if you think about it. If the numbers of seats split between the main parties was nip and tuck and you were elected as an Independent then you could possibly be the most powerful Councillor on the Council because your vote may actually control the balance of power. You would be a free agent to speak and vote as you wished and you wouldn't have the racist label around your neck! Think about it.


How true....but that would only work if there were a split vote.

I am thinking about going independent but it will have to be in 2006 as there will be no seats up for grabs untill then and there will only be one available........
worth a try.................Thanks!

Well Derek I think you ought to tell the party here in sheffield if you are thinking of going as a independent.
If that is indeed the case then we in the BNP will be sorry to see you go,afterall you were one of the first to stand on our ticket here in sheffield.
I have to say this has come as something of a suprise to me maybe you can clarify this situation.

Originally posted by royjames
I have to say this has come as something of a suprise to me maybe you can clarify this situation.
Something to be carried out by e-mail / PM rather than on top of someone else's thread.

ok geoff no probs.

Originally posted by Geoff
Something to be carried out by e-mail / PM rather than on top of someone else's thread.
This has been done........Therefore Lets get back onto the subject........

I do think that this thread is over for now and that nothing can be added that has merit unless someone deems it neccesary to post something of value