What is Council and Democracy?
The District Council is a democratically elected body that
provides a range of key public services such as environmental
health, refuse collection, street cleansing, leisure facilities,
parks and open spaces, and planning.
The District Council works in what is effectively a three tier
system. Above the District is Essex County Council, which is
responsible for care services for the young and old, education,
highways and transportation, refuse disposal, libraries, trading
standards, minerals planning and the like.
Below the District are Town and Parish Councils. In
Rochford there are 14 of these. They are responsible for some
local open spaces, some lighting and bus shelters, small scale
environmental schemes such as hanging baskets, some local community
facilities, allotments, etc.
The Leader of the District Council is Councillor Terry Cutmore.
As the most senior Councillor, Terry is Chairman of Executive
meetings and is key to the Council's relationships with its
partners. Terry is supported by a Deputy Leader, Councillor Keith
Hudson.
The Executive considers Council policy and the management of all
Council services. The Leader of the Council also heads the
Conservative Councillors, which make up the largest political group
represented on the Council. The main opposition group is the
Liberal Democrats, which is headed by Councillor Chris Black.
The District Council also has a civic head,
the Chairman of the Council, who presides over meetings of the
whole Council and formally represents the Council at a variety of
civic and community functions. The Chairman of the Council is
normally elected on an annual basis at the start of the Council
year in May. This year’s Chairman is Councillor Simon
Smith.
Your Local Ward Councillor
The main role of local ward councillors is to represent the area
covered by their ward and the people who live there. They provide a
voice for and help to all members of the community and are involved
in making decisions on behalf of residents and contributing to the
Council's policies.
Councillors are not paid a salary or wages, but they are
entitled to allowances and expenses to cover some of the costs of
carrying out their public duties. All Councillors abide by a
code of conduct, part of which requires them to declare any
financial interests, gifts or hospitality that could influence any
decisions they make.
If you need to contact your local Councillor you can find their
details by using the Find Your Councillor service below.