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Policies - Guidelines for Shadow Councillors
1) Approved
duties
These fall into two main categories
a. Regular attendance and participation at meetings of Fermanagh
Shadow Youth Council, its committees and sub-committees, all
of which are properly arranged
b. Anything else which you may do and which has been approved
by Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council.
2) Code of conduct
This is outlined in the Standing Orders. Generally you are not
allowed to take part in discussion or voting in connection with
an issue where you have a direct financial interest. You have
a duty to declare any such interest at the earliest possible
stage. You may be asked to leave the meeting while that particular
issue is discussed.
3) Role of a Shadow Councillor
As a Shadow Councillor you will be involved in
a. Representing your electoral area
b. Hearing problems of individual organisations or people
c. Making decisions
d. Reviewing effectivenes
e. Reporting back to the electorate
4) Important principles for being a Shadow Councillor
Powers
As an individual Shadow Councillor you have no statutory powers.
Power rests with the Shadow Council as a body.
Constituents
You have been elected to represent all your constituents, not
just the ones who voted for you! You will need to listen to
all their views and represent them properly. You also need to
balance the needs of your electoral area against the needs of
the needs of the Shadow Council District of Fermanagh and explain
decisions made to your constituents.
Problems
When a problem is referred to you, you need to decide if it
is Shadow Council related. If the Shadow Council is unlikely
to be able to help you may refer your constituents to the proper
agency (the Project Worker may be able to help you here.)
If it is an issue for the Shadow Council, you need to listen
to all sides of he issue and follow the proper procedures that
the Shadow Council has put in place for handling queries or
complaints.Remember, although you hope to satisfy your constituents
about their problems you may not always do so as there may be
a conflict with Shadow Council policy or the constituents may
simply have been wrong in how the understood events.
Decision making
This may involve balancing short term benefits with long-term
plans and considerations. You will need to judge what is best
for Fermanagh. At times this may be different form your own
personal view or those of some of your electoral area. You may
find that a shortage of resources will force you to decide between
demands which is the most urgent or important? It will rarely
be possible to meet all needs at the same time and you may need
to look at other options. Decision making involves making judgements
based on what the situation is at the time. Don't expect to
get it right every time!
Reviewing effectiveness
You will need to keep an eye on projects as they develop and
to compare them with the original plans and targets. You also
need to ensure that resources are being used as effectively
as possible. Some flexibility may be needed as unforeseen difficulties
arise.
Impartiality
You should strive to be impartial and objective. You must treat
all matters before the Shadow Council with equal fairness and
try hard not to allow personal feelings to cloud your judgement
on any matter.
Party politics
Although Shadow Councillors are not elected on party political
grounds you may well have similar views and opinions to one
or more political party. Theses personal views must always be
balanced against the needs of the county as a whole and the
needs of all your constituents. Remember that your were elected
on the issues outlined in your own manifesto and have a responsibility
to those who elected you to work for the issues you said you
would work for.
Dealing with the media
In dealing with the media you must make it clear whether you
are representing the whole Shadow Council or expressing your
own view. Think very carefully what you are going to say and
practice saying it if need be. It is possible that you may be
misrepresented. Professional journalists do not knowingly mislead,
but they may wish to grab the headlines by being controversial.
The media work to tight deadlines and may pressure you for a
quick response. If you have any doubt, contact the Project Worker.
"Off the cuff" remarks may rebound on you and on the
Shadow Council.
Chairing meetings
If you are elected to chair a meeting you will have to regulate
meetings as outlined in the Standing Orders. You should try
to ensure that all shades of opinion are given a fair hearing,
while at the same time controlling the effective use of discussion
- time is limited! As an ordinary member at Shadow Council meeting
you can help the Chair by observing rules of debate outlined
in the Standing Orders.
Secretarial duties
If elected to be the secretary it is your job to take notes
on decisions made during meetings and to present them to the
Project Worker to type up. All Shadow Councillors will have
access to training to be a chair or secretary
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