29th Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (Strasbourg, 20-22 October 2015)

Speaking notes for the rapporteur Tracey Simpson-Laing

Debate on “Conditions of office of local and regional elected representatives”

Check against delivery

Mr President, colleagues,

It is a great honour to present this report to Congress.

I would like start by thanking the secretariat and our expert Professor Collin Mellor’s for their work on the report.

This report builds on Congresses adopted Resolution 142, of 1983, with regard to arrangements being in place to 'ensure that local and regional elected representatives are able to perform their roles appropriately.’

I would like to begin with two quotes from the draft resolution:

- 'Representative democracy works best when it is truly representative of the community’

And:

- 'Local and Regional authorities have a responsibility to ensure that the way in which political business in councils is conducted does not deter citizens from standing for election'

This report is then perhaps one of the most important and defining documents of the Congress in relation to its future composition and will define the makeup of elected representatives, at local and regional levels, in future decades.

I have been asked why I and my co-rapporteur Freda Johansson Metso – who unfortunately cannot be with us today - were so concerned and interested in this report. The answer is simple: if representative democracy is to grow in strength through participation – election turnouts show it is not doing so at the moment – then we must ensure that those casting their vote can see that those who wish to represent them are truly representative, be they employed, unemployed, parents, the disabled, retired and so on.

Sadly except for a few exceptions, such as my co-rapporteurs country (of Sweden), our elected representatives do not mirror their communities – for a simple reason, the barriers that stand in the way of service are too great.

This report is based on fact having taken in the views of many of Congresses delegations. It sets out their view of barriers and addresses ways in which they can be addressed.

Let me illustrate. In the UK the average Councillor is nearing 61 years of age, a year on year increase, and is a white male. In my own City, before recent elections, the Cabinet contained 50% women and 62% had school aged children....after the election the Cabinet has 25% women, and only 1 of 8 has school aged children. Female elected members have stayed constant at 32% but the overall Councillor age has increased.

When people are asked to stand, but politely refuse, they have

many reasons but often it comes down to the demands of the role, the lack of support both in practical and financial terms and not least the negative impact it may have on their careers. Others site the absence of protection from social media harassment and threats of violence.

These factors also concern those already elected - a pool of talent is not being utilized due to employers not seeing the value of service with regard to time off work for duties. Often those elected have a choice to make, to remain on the backbenches or give up work to undertake leadership roles which results in a loss of income and can affect careers.

This report then sets out how changes can be made and what

the Governments of our member states must do to ensure the future of representative democracy in their countries.

Mr President, although the report contains many detailed

recommendations I would like outline to Congress those that my co-rapporteur and I feel are the most important.

The main objective of our report is to present a clear message, that elected representatives should have the extent of their duties suitably recognised in monetary terms and be provided with support and resources to undertake their duties properly, effectively and free of inappropriate interference.

This is not just our personal preference – it is a commitment undertaken by our national governments, in Article 7 of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which enshrines the conditions of office of local elected representatives to provide for the free exercise of their functions.

To the detail…………………..

We live in a technologically driven world so access to the

internet and suitable equipment is essential for elected representatives to undertake their duties. Currently there is a mixed provision, but more concerning is that in one member state IT and telephone access provision is a condition of office.

The resolution directly addresses Local and Regional Authorities, asking them to provide information and communication technology equipment and adequate facilities to all elected representatives.

Training is vital. In employment we expect to be trained, it is often a requirement – why should elected office be different? We ask the national associations of Local and Regional Authorities ensure that an induction training programme is given to all councillors, at the start of their mandate. Training should detail responsibilities, obligations, the municipality’s code of ethics and equality & diversity training – councillors should be obliged to undertake this training programme. We also ask that continuous professional training be made available.

The scheduling of meetings can also deter people seeking elected office or taking on more responsibility. We ask that Authorities schedule meetings so they do not restrict those who wish to serve as elected representatives, in particular those in full-time employment.

Also to address is the potential for difficulties for those with family or care responsibilities; this can be managed by providing allocations to pay for childminders and carers.

Protection of individuals is essential. With the increase of internet access and social media usage there has, in some countries, been a rise in online abuse and harassment. One aspect we think that the majority of countries have neglected is to provide clear guidelines, in liaison with the police, on how to deal with cases of slander, harassment and threats of violence to councillors and their families.

From my personal experience, I cannot stress enough how important it is that appropriate support and guidance are given to councillors who have been harassed or threatened. Policy, procedure and guidance must be set at a national level – this cannot be done locally as there is a need to ensure consistency of law- and should include assistance with any legal steps to be taken. This should not be at an individual’s own cost.

We also feel that social media platforms need to be more responsible and taken action when reports of harassment, abuse and threats of violence are made rather than their current relaxed attitude.

The hours of commitment …………It is important that the workloads of those elected are recognised. There is an issue defining ‘part-time’ ranging from 7-24 hours in the Netherlands to 36 hours a week in Scotland. For Mayors, City Leaders, Deputy Leaders and Cabinets hours can regularly exceed 60 hours per week – the report notes such hours result in members leaving employment and that there is a higher percentage of the self-employed and the retired doing these roles.

We ask member states to provide adequate financial reward for the work performed by local elected representatives, which reflects the workload demands of the role, according to the duties and size of the local authority. The view by some Governments that this is voluntary role needs to be addressed, seen more in context to the hours of those elected to parliament. Schemes must be set nationally to ensure fairness across states and stop local political interference.

We also ask that elected representatives in paid full-time employment be entitled to adequate leave of absence, from their employment, to attend to official duties and do not suffer loss of salary or other rights - only two countries actually do this, Sweden and the Netherlands.

We also ask that support is provided, as it is for members of parliaments, for those who have undertaken roles on a full-time basis if their mandate is not renewed. Eire has a scheme that offers such support and treats the situation as if an employee has been made redundant.

Finally legal protection. It is important that elected members, who act honestly and in good faith, do not face personal civil liability for the proper execution of their duties and be indemnified against such claims, unless they have acted negligently or recklessly.

This is a huge problem, especially in this country where a mayor can, and often is, taken to court for an accident in a school or a public park.

Colleagues, I will stop here. Let me sum up. Don’t believe those ministers who try and persuade you that we can have local democracy on the cheap, run by volunteers – as heard in this chamber form UK ministers. The quality of our life at local level will depend on the value that we attach to it. Proper conditions of work are the starting point.

I urge you to support this text.

Thank you.