Support Available to Councillors

A wide range of help is available to support Cornwall Councillors in the delivery of their role.

Information technology

To help you in your role you will receive a Council computer. This will help you work in meetings, from home or on the move. You will also have a Council email address. You will be able to access training and guides to help you use your computer. 

Members’ handbook

You will be able to access the Members’ Handbook on line on the Councillors area of the intranet. 

It has lots of information to support you including:-

• Information on health, safety and wellbeing;
• Member development;
• Members' allowances' helping residents' and
• Meetings

It also provides you with links to useful templates, guides and forms.

Constitution

The Constitution sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which it follows. This is to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. Some of these processes are required by the law, while others are a matter for the Council to choose.

Members’ allowances

You will receive a Basic Allowance of £18,367.84. If you hold a position of “Special Responsibility”, such as a Committee Chairman you will receive an additional allowance to reflect the additional responsibilities that you will be expected to undertake.

You will also be able to claim travel costs and for help with the costs of child care or an elderly relative for certain duties. Guidance will be provided on how to do this.

The Council also has a Parental Leave Policy setting out entitlement to maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave.

The Council’s Members’ Allowances Scheme provides more information on allowances:-

Members’ Allowances Scheme

Support for specific requirements

You should flag up at induction any special requirements which may have an impact on the way you deliver your role. This will help the Council to investigate how best it can support you and the extent to which it can make adaptations.

Member induction

The Member induction programme will made published as soon as it is available. You will be given a copy at the Count Centre if you are elected.

The Member induction will take place over the course of a few weeks. There are some immediate administration requirements that you must complete:-

• Acceptance of office
• Personal details
• DBS check
• Providing information for payroll purposes
• IT acceptable use policy
• Register of interests

Induction will be a combination of in-person and Teams events and on-line learning. If you have a job, you should speak to your employer to seek time off for these important events.

Ongoing training and development

The Council provides ongoing Member training and development for Members.  Some training is mandatory for all Members, and some is role specific. There is also some highly recommended training that you should complete as soon after election as possible to support you in your role. 

Training and development events are generally held online and recorded for future reference. These will take place at different times recognising the different commitments Members have.

The Council’s Member Development Strategy provides more information on induction and training:-

Member Development Strategy November 2023

Casework Assist and Report Something

Casework Assist - Cornwall Council is an invaluable tool for you in your role as a local Councillor to help you with your casework. You can submit your casework queries through the website. It will be directed to the correct department to provide a response. 

Report something - Cornwall Council is another tool to help you report a range of things on line using one of the Council’s forms. 

Governance structure, committee meetings and the calendar of meetings 

The Council’s democratic governance structure is the Leader and Cabinet model.  Full Council elects the Leader on an annual basis. The Leader chooses between two and nine Councillors to form a Cabinet. The Cabinet’s responsibilities are divided up into portfolios and each Cabinet Member is responsible for a portfolio of work. The Cabinet Members are also known as Portfolio Holders or Executive Members. The Leader and Cabinet take decisions to deliver the business plan and these must usually be within the budget and policy framework set by full Council.

This is the Committee structure - Cornwall Council. As a Councillor you will sit on full Council. You will also serve on Committees. You will need to complete mandatory training requirements before you are able to sit on some of them. 

The Council publishes its Monthly meetings calendar - Cornwall Council. Each Committee generally has a specific day for its meetings so if you work then you would have to come to an agreement with your employer about having time off. For example, full Council meets on a Tuesday and each of the Sub-Area Planning Committees meet on a Monday. This is to support you in planning your time. 

Community Area Partnerships

You will be part of at least one Community Area Partnership. These bring local organisations and people together. Their role is to tackle the issues that matter to communities. 

Other information available

The Local Government Association has useful information on being a Councillor:

Becoming a councillor | Local Government Association