3.2 Managing expectations in respect of quasi-judicial and regulatory matters
You may find it useful to manage the expectations of members of the public who approach you for assistance. While you are there to represent them, you also have a duty to act in the interests of the Council as a whole and in accordance with the Code.
Managing the public’s expectations
To help you manage expectations, click on the flip cards below to see what you can and cannot do when you are approached by constituents for help.
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Show description|Hide descriptionThe text on the front of Card 1 says: I CAN
When the card is clicked on it reveals the back of the card.
The text on the back of Card 1 says:
Seek information on your behalf in respect of your case.
Advise Council officers of your views.
Help you make your views known to the relevant Council officer.
Give you advice on the correct procedure to follow and who to contact.
Raise concerns you have about a Council service/decision.
Make representations on your behalf. In doing so, however, I may then give up my right to be a decision-maker on the matter.
The text on the front of Card 2 says: I CAN’T
When the card is clicked on it reveals the back of the card.
The text on the back of Card 2 says:
Overturn a Council decision (e.g. on the allocation of Council housing).
Advocate for/against a cause if I want to take part in the decision-making process (if it is a regulatory or quasi-judicial matter e.g. licensing or planning).
Seek legal advice from the Council on your behalf.
Pass on any legal advice provided to the Council.
Guarantee all information provided by you will be kept confidential.
Represent Council employees, lobby on their behalf or become involved in matters relating to their employment.
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Managing expectations of community councils
You may attend community council meetings in your capacity as ward councillor. It may be helpful for you to manage the expectations of community councillors, particularly in respect of what you can and cannot do when making quasi-judicial and regulatory decisions. You should remind them that while you attend community council meetings in order to listen to community councillors’ views and assist them, you also have a duty to act in the interests of the Council as a whole and in accordance with the Code.
To help you manage a community council’s expectations, click on the flip cards below to see what you can and cannot do.
Active content not displayed. This content requires JavaScript to be enabled.
Show description|Hide descriptionThe text on the front of Card 1 says: I CAN
When the card is clicked on it reveals the back of the card.
The text on the back of Card 1 says:
Help the community council make the community’s views known.
Give the community council advice on the correct procedure to follow and who to contact at the council.
Raise concerns the community council may have about a council service/decision.
Seek information on the community council’s behalf in respect of the progress of an application.
Make representations on the community council’s behalf. In doing so, however, I may then give up my right to be a decision-maker on the matter.
The text on the front of Card 2 says: I CAN’T
When the card is clicked on it reveals the back of the card.
The text on the back of Card 2 says:
Overturn a Council decision (e.g. on a planning matter).
Express a view or advocate for / against a cause if I want to take part in the decision-making process (if it is a regulatory or quasi-judicial matter e.g. licensing or planning).
Seek legal advice from the Council on the community council’s behalf.
Pass on any legal advice provided to the Council.
Guarantee all information discussed at a community council meeting will be kept confidential.
Become inappropriately involved in the Council’s operational matters.
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see it in standard view).
