1. Councils and Councillors

2. Introduction Councils are also referred to as Local Government Councils are also referred to as Local Government Councils are divided into wards, areas which elect their own councillor (like mini- constituencies) Councils are divided into wards, areas which elect their own councillor (like mini- constituencies) Councillors are responsible to make sure that council departments deliver good public services Councillors are responsible to make sure that council departments deliver good public services

3. Council Services Councils provide a wide range of services such as education and leisure, housing, social work, community care, roads, refuse disposal, etc. Councils provide a wide range of services such as education and leisure, housing, social work, community care, roads, refuse disposal, etc. Council services are funded out of block grants from the government, council tax, council house rent, revenue from leisure facilities, etc. Council services are funded out of block grants from the government, council tax, council house rent, revenue from leisure facilities, etc.

4. Councillors monitor council services by Pressurising council departments Pressurising council departments Speaking up at council meetings or on committees Speaking up at council meetings or on committees Voting at Council meetings Voting at Council meetings Writing to local MP/MSP or outside agencies Writing to local MP/MSP or outside agencies Holding surgeries where constituents can attend and ask for help with local problems Holding surgeries where constituents can attend and ask for help with local problems Use media to raise awareness Use media to raise awareness

5. Councillors are effective because they Live amongst the people they represent Live amongst the people they represent Work locally and are in touch with ordinary people Work locally and are in touch with ordinary people Use council services themselves Use council services themselves

6. Where does the money come from? Most funding (80%) comes from Scottish Executive grants Most funding (80%) comes from Scottish Executive grants East Lothian 2007-2008 = £139.4 million East Lothian 2007-2008 = £139.4 million Council Tax Council Tax Business Rates Business Rates Council Rent Council Rent http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/i nt/ms/localgov/filing/index.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/i nt/ms/localgov/filing/index.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/i nt/ms/localgov/filing/index.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/i nt/ms/localgov/filing/index.shtml