BOSTON borough council

...a great past, an exciting future

Become a councillor A guide for prospective councillors in Boston Borough As a Chief Executive in local government, and Returning Officer for the Borough of Boston, I am always delighted to meet people who are willing to stand for election as a local councillor. By putting yourself forward you display a real passion for your community and a desire to help people who live there.

The next elections are on 2 May 2019 for both the Borough Council and our local Parish councils. This

offers you the perfect opportunity to stand as a Phil Drury, Chief Executive representative of your local community and become a Boston Borough councillor, or a parish councillor. We hope this pack will be used by anyone who is thinking of standing for election and is interested in finding out about the role of the councillor and how you can make a difference within your community.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest and wish you luck if you decide to stand.

Phil Drury Chief Executive, Boston Borough Council and Returning Officer for the Borough of Boston

2 Contents

Active Boston ...... 4

About local government ...... 5

The Borough Council ...... 6

District councils in Lincolnshire ...... 7

Boston Borough Council wards ...... 8

What does the council do? ...... 10

Decision making framework ...... 11

So, what is a councillor? ...... 12

The role of a councillor ...... 13

Important considerations ...... 15

Standing for election ...... 17

Code of Conduct ...... 18

Next steps ...... 21

Useful contacts ...... 22

3 About Boston Google “Boston” and you’ll end up in a world- The town has, throughout its history, had a famous city in America. But Google “Boston, diverse and multi-cultural population, having Lincolnshire” and you’ll end up in the much- enjoyed close and profitable associations with more historic location to which its namesake Baltic trading nations. Trade with the Hanseatic across the ocean owes its existence. countries was particularly strong in the 13th century, leading to Boston becoming the Boston is the principal town in South second most important port in the country with Lincolnshire and the administrative centre fantastic wealth for a small Fenland market for the Borough of Boston. Lincolnshire, the town. By the 14th century Boston had become second largest county in the country, is made the fourth-richest provincial town in England. up of seven districts. Much of the Borough of Boston is top-grade agricultural land, some of it Boston’s fine Guildhall and magnificent St the result of centuries of reclamation from The Botolph’s Church (Boston Stump) point to a Wash. Boston sits on the River Witham (known time in the town’s history when it had power, as The Haven where the tidal section runs wealth and influence. through the town centre) and, with easy access to The Wash and the North Sea, has a busy Boston’s thriving open-air market on port and a fishing industry. Wednesdays and Saturdays is the largest in Lincolnshire and has been held for more than One of the smallest local authority areas, it 450 years. The town retains its traditional covers 140 square miles, it is a significant market place, surrounded by a variety of contributor to the food and farming sector in national and locally-owned shops. In addition it Lincolnshire, which, in turn, has one of the has a historic network of feeder alleyways and largest concentrations of food manufacturing, streets, themselves home to some of the most research, storage and distribution in Europe. interesting trading establishments. Food production in Lincolnshire is vital to the UK’s food security. In the cases of Boston is also the gateway to some of horticulture and cereals, Lincolnshire is the Lincolnshire’s finest surrounding countryside largest single county producer in England. - from the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds to Greater Lincolnshire is responsible for growing bracing Skegness and the wilderness of the one eighth of the nation’s food. Farming, world-famous Wash estuarine salt-marsh bird manufacturing and food processing are worth reserves. an estimated £18.7 billion to the national economy, and much of the food processed The Council is made up of 30 councillors within the area is found in kitchen cupboards elected every four years by residents within across the UK. their communities to represent their views and make informed decisions on their behalf. At Boston’s population increased by 15.9 per cent the present time, these 30 councillors represent between 2001 and the 2011 census. This is four political groups: more than 50 per cent higher than the county rate of growth and twice that of the national ● Conservative 16 rate. Boston experienced the largest increases ● UKIP 6 in its population in the age bands representing ● Independents 4 people in their 20s. ● Bostonian Independents 4

4 About local government The Borough Council is one of a number environment and local council finances. of layers of government responsible for You can find out more at www.legislation. delivering local services in a geographical gov.uk area. A family living in the Borough may receive services from a parish council, Every four years the Borough Council the Borough Council, the County Council publishes a Corporate Plan which sets out as well as feeling the impact of decisions what it is going to focus its attention and made at a national level by Central resources on in addition to delivering its Government. They may also receive core services to residents. These tend services from other areas of the public to be development tasks that deliver real sector such as the health service, fire change to residents in the Borough. The service and police force. It is not always progress towards delivering these tasks clear to residents who provides which is monitored by councillors and reported services in an area. publically. You can view the Corporate Plan as well as the Council’s financial Boston Borough Council serves the plans and other key documents on the residents of Boston by providing the Council’s website www.boston.gov.uk following services:

● Refuse collection and recycling ● Street cleansing and playground maintenance ● Council tax collection ● Leisure centre ● Car parks ● Elections ● Sports development ● Arts and events ● Country parks ● Planning ● Environmental health ● Housing and homelessness (Lincolnshire Housing Partnership) ● Processing of benefit claims

How the Council operates is set by the Local Government Acts from 1972 and 2000, as well as the Localism Act 2011 and a number of more specific acts of parliament governing housing, the

5 The Borough Council The basic structure of local government in Lincolnshire derives from the reorganisations which became effective on 1 April 1974.

Boston Borough Council is one of the seven District Councils in Lincolnshire. The County and District Councils operate under separate independently elected councils and have their own individual responsibilities. District Councils are not subordinate to the County Council nor are they responsible to the County Council for the functions that they exercise in their own right.

The area of the Borough Council comprises the town of Boston and eighteen surrounding parishes, from Fosdyke to Wrangle and from Fishtoft to Swineshead. It has a population of 64,000 people living in over 30,000 domestic properties throughout the Borough.

For electoral purposes the Borough area is divided into fifteen wards, eight in the town area and seven in the rural area. All wards are represented by one, two or three councillors, dependent on the number of residents in each ward.

All councillors are elected at the same time for a four year term of office.

6 District Councils in Lincolnshire

7 Boston Borough Council wards

WITHAM FENSIDE WARD WARD TRINITY WARD

STATION WEST WARD WARD

STANILAND WARD SKIRBECK WARD

ST THOMAS’ WARD

8 Borough wards

Ward name No. of Councillors

Fenside 2

St Thomas’ 1

Skirbeck 3

Staniland 2

Station 1

Trinity 2

West 1

Witham 2

Coastal (Benington, Butterwick, Freiston, Leverton) 2

Fishtoft 3

Five Village (Algarkirk, Bicker, Fosdyke, Sutterton, Wigtoft) 2

Kirton and Frampton 3

Old Leake and Wrangle 2

Swineshead and Holland Fen (Amber Hill, Holland Fen with Brothertoft, Swineshead) 2

Wyberton 2

Total 30

9 What does the council do? The Council exists to provide open and Committees democratic local government, to secure good quality and cost effective local The Scrutiny Committees hold the Cabinet services and to enable Boston to become and external organisations to account by a sustainable community. scrutinising the way services are provided, considering policy development, exploring Council new ideas and initiatives. The Audit and Governance Committee oversee audit, The full Council (all 30 members) is the corporate resource and governance ultimate decision making body in the issues. Council’s affairs. It sets the overall policy and direction of the Council and decides Regulatory Committees the budget and level of council tax. Regulatory and quasi judicial matters Cabinet such as alcohol licenses, gambling policy and planning applications are dealt with Since November 2000 the Council has by the Licensing / Regulatory and Appeals operated a structure based on a Leader Committee and the and Cabinet model. The Cabinet is Planning responsible for making most of the Committee decisions in line with the Council’s overall policies and budget. If it wishes to make a decision that is outside the budget or policy framework, this must be referred to the Council as a whole to decide.

The Cabinet is chaired by the Leader of the Council, and currently has a membership of six other Councillors. Each Cabinet member has a defined portfolio covering a range of services for which they take personal responsibility.

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matters across the borough across matters licensing and entertainment Planning – consider planning Planning – consider taxi all alcohol, for Responsible appeals Considers and Governance Audit Committee Area Town Boston Group Development Councillor Links Committee International REGULATORY COMMITTEES REGULATORY  AND LICENSING/REGULATORY APPEALS   COMMITTEES OTHER    

Corporate and Community Corporate and Performance Environment Local Government Act 2000 Act Government Local Hold the Cabinet to account for decisions and for account Hold the Cabinet to check performance development policy for recommendations Meet every 6 to 8 weeks 6 to Meet every each year programmes up work Draw in depth and make issues Examine Consist of 30 elected councillors of 30 elected Consist Appoints the leader framework Sets budget and policy committees and Scrutiny Appoints Overview and other committees committees Regulatory  

Local Government Act 1972 Act Government Local     COUNCIL      AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEES OVERVIEW (up to 9 members) and 9 members) (up to portfolios allocates plan in a forward be taken published monthly council to proposals policy within implement policy framework policy agreed for recommendations advice actions with officer Leader appoints cabinet Leader budget and key Proposes decisions to Takes Considers Sets out major decisions to Sets out major decisions to EXECUTIVE ARRANGEMENTS LEADER AND CABINET      DECISION MAKING FRAMEWORK

11 So, what is a councillor? Current Borough Councillors come from and have responsibility for taking all walks of life. It is important for the most day to day decisions that are not Borough that its Councillors represent delegated to managers. This is covered the population as a whole, and are in more detail later in the guide. drawn from as wide a group of people as possible. Different backgrounds and Becoming a Borough Councillor means experiences are needed. that you can help people to access the services they deserve, and influence the The work can be interesting and varied. running of the Borough for the benefit of There are three main elements: everyone who lives and works here.

● representing the best interests of the You don’t have to be a member of a people of the area; political party to become a Councillor; you ● being involved in scrutinising policy can stand for election as an independent decisions which affect the way services candidate. Whether you are a member are run right across the Borough; of a party, thinking of joining one, or ● making decisions on important just want to know more about being a regulatory issues. Councillor, this guide is for you. It aims to give you an idea of what being a Some councillors are appointed to be Councillor involves, and how you go about Executive Councillors (Cabinet members) standing for election.

12 The role of a councillor What responsibilities do councillors ● making or scrutinising decisions. have? Your role on the council is to plan, run, Councillors are elected to represent local monitor and develop council business. residents in an area called a ward. The Councillors are essential to deciding what role of a councillor can be varied and it is is in the public interest amidst a range of up to each individual councillor how they conflicting issues and views. work, although there are a range of types of activity that councillors get involved in. As well as being a member of the Councillors have responsibilities to their council you could also be on the cabinet, ward, to the council and the community as a scrutiny committee or a regulatory a whole. committee. In each of these settings you will meet with other councillors from all Ward responsibilities include: political groups, to debate and approve council business in a formal setting. Most ● Listening to and representing the views meetings are open to the public and of residents to make sure services are press. There are written rules, called run effectively in their ward; ‘Procedure Rules’ which govern behaviour ● Trying to secure extra resources for and procedures at these meetings and their ward; these enable councillors to take part ● Helping individual ward residents on effectively. specific issues, known as ‘casework’. Councillors as community leaders As a councillor you will find that much of your time is taken up by contact with Managing and leading local areas in a local people. This could be in the form changing world requires particular skills of dealing with complaints or enquiries. and abilities. In particular, councils need Your role will be to listen, explain council strong leaders who are able to listen policy and make sure that the policy has to their community and bring people been carried out fairly, according to official together, giving life to a shared vision of procedures. You will receive help from how they can improve their local area. council officers to deal with constituents’ enquiries and complaints. As a front line councillor you will have a key role in this, representing and Council responsibilities include: leading the communities in your Ward. Local Government Improvement and ● Helping to form policy Development has suggested that there ● Helping to develop the council’s budget are two key elements to this role: and agreeing the level of council tax;

13 Community Leader ● Contributing as an effective partner in neighbourhood arrangements. ● Stimulating local organisations and individuals to take up opportunities to Community Advocate express their views; ● Representing local level concerns and ● Speaking up for and on behalf of perspectives; residents and groups; ● Maintaining a link between the users ● Encouraging residents to engage and and providers of services; participate; ● Encouraging the community to ● Participating in plan making and organise services for themselves; planning decisions. ● Working with other community leaders in the voluntary, community and business sectors; ● Offering visions and direction to local groups and building support for that vision; ● Brokering agreements between different interests and partners;

14 Important considerations Skills and attributes required the meetings at which councillors make decisions as well as supporting the You don’t need any specific qualifications Council’s decision-making process. They to become a Borough councillor. Life will be in touch regularly with information experience is probably the best thing you about events and training, meetings can bring to the role. and additional information available to councillors, and will try to answer any Training and support given to councillors questions you have about your ward – or they will find you the person who can All new councillors are able to access an answer your questions. The Council also extensive induction programme that runs has a dedicated councillors’ room where for three months and additional training you can meet with other councillors, use is offered to all councillors on a range of Council provided IT equipment, pick up topics throughout the four year term of any post that comes into the Council. office based on personal development plans and matched to your needs. Some of the information you will have access to as a councillor is sensitive If you are appointed to sit on the Planning in nature and is protected by rules of Committee, Licensing/Regulatory confidentiality and in some cases the Data and Appeals Committee, or Audit and Protection Act 2018 – training is given Governance Committee you will be to ensure you are able to access this required to undertake mandatory training information securely and protect it. prior to serving on those committees. You will be given a councillor email The induction programme covers (but is address and will be able to access not limited to): information related to being a councillor such as the papers you need for meetings ● Meet the Council and background information via the ● Local Government Finance Council’s IT systems. ● Data Protection and IT Security ● Introduction to Overview and Scrutiny Finding the time ● Decision Making Process ● Code of Conduct and Governance The amount of free time needed to be an ● Performance and risk management effective councillor is often a concern for ● Programme and project management anyone standing for election. It is for you to decide the level of commitment and Help is also offered to councillors by a the amount of time you have available dedicated support team. The Democratic for being a councillor. As well as the Services team is here to plan and service requirement to attend council meetings,

15 which generally take place in the evening, motorbikes and 20p per mile for cycles there will also be ward matters that require your attention and contributing towards An allowance is also provided for your political party if you represent one. councillors who incur expenses for caring It also depends on your role within the of dependants whilst performing approved Council and the number of duties you duties, such as the cost of a child minder decide to take on. It could range from a or a carer for an elderly person. few hours each week to a few hours every day at busier times. Full details of the Members’ Allowance Scheme can be found in the Council’s If you are working, by law your employer Constitution which is published on the must allow you to take a reasonable website www.boston.gov.uk amount of time off during working hours to perform your duties as a councillor. The amount of time needed will depend upon your responsibilities within the Council and you are strongly advised to discuss this with your employer before committing to being a councillor.

Allowances and Expenses

There is no salary for being a councillor. However, you will be paid an allowance to reimburse you for time (paid automatically) and expenses (which need to be claimed for on a monthly basis) incurred whilst on Council business.

Every Boston Borough Councillor is entitled to a basic allowance, currently £4,400 a year, paid into a bank account in 12 monthly instalments. Some councillors are given an additional allowance to cover any special responsibilities such as Cabinet member or a Chairman of a committee.

You may claim travelling allowances for certain approved duties such as attending committee meetings. The current rate is 45p per mile for cars, 24p per mile for

16 Standing for election To become a councillor you need to stand ● Are employed by another Council in for, and win, an election. You do not need a job that has been designated as any specific qualifications to become a politically restricted, that is to say, councillor, but you do need to fulfil certain where the law says you have to be criteria to be eligible. politically neutral; ● Have, in the last five years, had a To stand for election, on the day of prison sentence (whether suspended nomination, you must be 18 or over and or not) of three months or more; a UK, EU or commonwealth citizen (this ● Have been declared bankrupt; or may change for the 2019 elections as a ● Are disqualified from standing for result of the UK leaving the EU). election for some other reason, such as having been convicted on an You must also meet at least one of the election offence. following criteria: It should also be noted that if you have ● Be registered, and continue to be, arrears of Council Tax, if elected to be a as a local government elector for the Councillor, you would not be able to vote Borough of Boston, from the day of on budget setting decisions. your nomination onwards, or ● Have occupied (as owner or tenant) any land or premises in the Borough of Boston during the whole of the 12 months before the day you are nominated and the day of election, or ● Your main or only place of work during the last 12 months, prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election, has been in the Borough of Boston, or ● You have lived in the Borough of Boston during the whole of the last 12 months, before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

However, you cannot stand for election if you:

● Are an employee of Boston Borough Council

17 Code of Conduct On taking office all councillors have to Integrity: Holders of public office must sign that they will abide by a Code of avoid placing themselves under any Conduct to ensure high standards in the obligation to outside individuals or way they undertake their duties. organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They The Code of Conduct covers areas of should not act or take decisions in order individual behaviour such as members to gain financial or material benefits for not abusing their position or not misusing themselves, their family or their friends. their authority’s resources. In addition They must declare and resolve any there are rules governing disclosure of interests and relationships. interest and withdrawal from meetings where members have relevant interests. Objectivity: Holders of public office must Members are also required to record on act and take decisions impartially, fairly a public register their financial and other and on merit, using the best evidence and interests. without discrimination or bias.

There are two very important provisions of Accountability: Holders of public office the Code which Councillors are bound to are accountable for their decisions and at all times. These require that councillors actions to the public and must submit should not:- themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this. ● Do anything that would bring the authority or office of councillor Openness: Holders of public office should into disrepute; act and take decisions in an open and ● Misuse their official position to their transparent manner.. Information should own advantage or the advantage or not be withheld from the public unless disadvantage of others. there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing. Otherwise the Code of Conduct only applies to councillors when they are acting Honesty: Holders of public office should in their capacity as an elected member of be truthful. the authority. Leadership: Holders of public office Members should also observe the General should exhibit these principles in their own Principles of Public Life, namely: behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and Selflessness: Holders of public office be willing to challenge poor behaviour should act solely in terms of the public wherever it occurs. interest.

18 The Council also has a protocol defining it would be good practice to inform the the relationship between councillors Council’s Monitoring Officer. and officers (the staff employed by the Council) which also forms part of the There is no requirement to register gifts or constitution. The principles of the protocol hospitality that are declined, but it is good are: practice to do so.

● Both councillors and officers serve Register of Interests local people, but have distinct roles ● The best service will be provided to Under the Code of Conduct there is a local people by both councillors and requirement for all councillors to register officers working as one team their financial and other interests with the ● The service given to local people must Council’s Monitoring Officer within 28 days be efficient, open and accountable of being elected. ● Councillors and officers must act ethically The register is kept in order for the public, ● Officers must be politically impartial authority staff and other members to know ● Effective working relationships which member might have an interest that between councillors and officers must could give rise to a conflict of interest. be based on trust and mutual respect. Individual councillors are responsible Gifts and Hospitality for deciding whether or not they should declare an interest in a meeting, but it The authority keeps a register for could be helpful to know early on if others councillors to declare gifts and hospitality think that a conflict might arise. It is also received by them in connection with their important for public confidence that people official duties. who are interested in the authority’s meetings to know about any interests that Gifts and hospitality that are not related might have to be declared by councillors. to their role as a councillor need not be registered - for example, Christmas gifts The register is open to public inspection. from family or friends. Declaring Interests However, consideration should always be given as to whether any of the gifts Councillors are required to declare their or hospitality received could be seen as interest at all meetings where matters being connected to the role of being a being discussed affect their interests. councillor. If a series of gifts, each worth less than £50, are received in connection There are two categories of interests with the role of councillor, they are then which are required to be registered and collectively worth more than £50 and declared under the Code of Conduct.

19 Disclosable Pecuniary Interests any body of which they are a member or in a position of general control or It is a legal requirement for all Councillors management either:- to register their Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) with the Monitoring Officer ● exercising functions of a public nature; within 28 days of being elected. The or DPIs of your wife/husband/civil partner ● directed to charitable purposes; or (or any person with whom you live as ● one of whose principal purposes husband, wife or civil partner) are also includes the influence of public opinion required to be registered. or policy (including any political party or trade union) A person’s pecuniary interests are their business interests (for example their At the start of any meeting you must employment, trade, profession, contracts, declare any local choice interest you may or any company with which they are have in relation to items to be considered. associated) and wider financial interests If the interest is significant you should they might have (for example trust funds, leave the room during the discussion and investments and assets including land and vote on that item. property).

If you are present at a meeting and you have a disclosable pecuniary interest in any business that is, or will be, considered at the meeting, you must not participate in any discussion or in any vote taken on that matter at the meeting. You should declare your interest at the start of the meeting and leave the room during the discussion and vote on that item.

Failure to register or declare a disclosable pecuniary interest is a criminal offence. If you are found guilty of such an offence you can be fined up to £5,000 and disqualified from holding office as a councillor for up to five years.

Local Choice Interests

Councillors must register with the Democratic Services Manager details of

20 Next steps If you’ve read all about becoming a clear and accurate record of financial councillor, taken a look at our website, expenditure, and help you plan your been to a few meetings and even taken campaign. a look at some of the resources available online, and you still want to be a councillor If you decide to stand for election and – great, it sounds like the residents spend money on your campaign, there of Boston will be lucky to have you is a set limit of £740 with an additional representing them. 6p for every local government elector registered in the register of electors for The next Borough council elections will be the area you are seeking to be elected. If held in May 2019, the nominations period you are standing for a political party, help will open in March 2019 and the deadline with election expenses may be available. to submit will be publicised on our website The Electoral Commission can help you and social media channels. You will need with any questions you may have about to be proposed, seconded and also to expenses [email protected]. have a further eight people as supporters uk to your nomination. Expenditure on election campaigns is not As a prospective candidate you will be reimbursed by the Council. invited to a meeting to hear about how the election is organised and run, including how we deal with postal votes, where the count of the votes will be held, where the polling stations are going to be and to ask any questions you may have.

It is your responsibility, or your agent’s, to present nomination papers to the Returning Officer before the statutory deadline. This will be made clear in advance of the nomination period and in your nomination pack.

It is your choice whether or not you have an election agent to represent you and manager your election campaign. An agent can help you make sure all the forms are filled in correctly and submitted before the deadlines, help you keep a

21 Useful contacts Contacts at Political Parties: Boston Borough Council: The Conservative Party – Main Switchboard – 01205 314200 conservatives.com www.boston.gov.uk The Labour Party – labour.org.uk Chief Executive  01205 314210 Green Party – greenparty.org.uk

Deputy Chief Executive Liberal Democrats – libdems.org.uk  01205 314292 UKIP – ukip.org Democratic Services Manager  01205 314224 Independent – independentgroup@lga. gov.uk

Contacts at Local Government:

Local Government Association www.local.gov.uk  020 7664 3000

Local Government Information Unit www.lgiu.org.uk  020 7554 2800

Electoral Commission www.electoralcommission.org.uk  0300 068 3388 (Midlands Office)

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