Town Councillors

Ashington Town Council has provision for 18 Councillors, each representing one of the six wards in the town. Town Councillors are elected representatives.

The work of a Town Councillor can vary from one Councillor to another.  The three main areas of work are summarised below:

1. Decision making – Through attending meetings and committees with other elected members, Councillors decide which activities to support, where money should be spent and what services should be delivered.  Decision-making is collective and by voting.
2. Monitoring – Councillors make sure that their decisions lead to efficient and effective services by keeping an eye on how well things are working.
3. Getting involved locally – As representatives of the community, Councillors may be part of local groups and organisations and may represent individuals and take up issues on their behalf.

• A Town Councillor must represent the whole electorate not just those that voted for them.
• A Town Councillor must represent the views of the community.
• A Town Councillor has a duty to attend Council meetings.
• A Town Councillor has a duty to ensure the Council is ‘properly’ managed.
• A Town Councillor may represent a political party or may be independent.
• A Town Councillor must maintain proper standards of behaviour as an elected representative.
• A Town Councillor must abide by the adopted Code of Conduct and the Seven Principles of Public Life.
• A Town Councillor must never use their position to secure personal advantage for themselves, family, or friends.
• A Town Councillor must sign a declaration of acceptance of office and declare their interests.
• A Town Councillor must not do anything that brings the Council into disrepute.
• A Town Councillor is accountable to local people.

Please note that conduct in relation to interests and the registration of them, are regulated by the Localism Act 2011, sections 26-34.  They require the Monitoring Officer of the principle council, i.e. Northumberland County Council, to establish and maintain the register, which is available in the link below.

Declarations of Interests

Introducing the Ashington Town Councillors