by North Smethwick Development Trust
A councillor’s primary role is to represent their ward or division and the people who live in it. Councillors provide a bridge between the community and the council. As well as being an advocate for local residents and signposting them to the right people at the council, you will need to keep them informed about the issues that affect them.
In order to understand and represent local views and priorities, they need to build strong relationships and encourage local people to make their views known and engage with them and the Council. Good communication and engagement are central to being an effective councillor.
To do this they have regular contact with the general public through either Council meetings, telephone calls or surgeries. Surgeries provide an opportunity for any ward resident to go and talk their councillor face to face and these take place on a regular basis.
Your Councillor will discuss any concerns or problems relating to Council services and listen to your views on issues that you feel are important.
Councillors are not paid a salary for their work, but they do receive allowances. By law, all members of the Council are required to complete a Declaration of Interest form, the details of which are published annually.
Councillor Sukhbir Singh Gill
Party: Labour Party
Tel: 07929 729 532
