• Councillors Commission

The independent Commission on the role of local councillors has been looking at the incentives and barriers to serving on councils. The Commission was chaired by Dame Jane Roberts, former Leader of the London Borough of Camden.

The Strong and Prosperous Communities - The Local Government White Paper committed the government to:

'establishing an independent review of the incentives and barriers to serving on councils. Councillors should be supported in their contributions and service to their communities, not face disincentives to taking on the role. The review will look at a range of issues, including the extent to which finding it difficult to get time off work discourages people from becoming councillors or serving in cabinets, the time commitments expected of councillors and cabinet members and allowances.'

The Commission's report 'Representing the future' was published 10 December 2007. Read the Commission's  Press release and the Councillors Commission report.

The Government is currently considering the Commission's report and will be publishing its response in the Spring.

Join in the debate at our Councillors Commission discussion forum.