4.4  Casework

 

As a councillor, you have a role in representing the electorate at a ward level. In doing so, you may be expected to undertake casework on behalf of individual constituents and are allowed to campaign on local issues.

When asked for assistance, you should manage the constituent’s expectations about the extent to which you can help. For example, you should advise them that you can seek information on their behalf, but you cannot overturn a decision and they must follow the appropriate procedures for doing so. You cannot insist on a particular outcome. You should also advise constituents that you cannot seek legal advice from the Council on their behalf or pass on any legal advice provided to the Council either by an officer or an external firm.

You should not pursue casework that is likely to come before you at a quasi‑judicial or regulatory committee because this may prevent you from taking part in the discussion and voting.

To avoid becoming inappropriately involved in operational matters and to prevent conflicts arising, consider exactly what you are being asked to do. There should be no difficulty if you have managed your constituent’s expectations appropriately and are simply:

• advising officers of representations received

• helping constituents make their views known to the appropriate officer, or advising them about who to contact and the correct procedure

• assisting a group of constituents with community engagement

• seeking factual information on progress on behalf of a constituent.