I am Interested in Council - but what can I do?

As a citizen, you are not just a recepient of services but you should be a participant. You have the right to influence what your Council does, how it spends its money, what services and facilities it provides and what local issues it pursues.
That is the basis of the system - local communities themselves deciding what sort of place they want their area to be. However that only works if the community as a whole takes an interest in what its Council does and expresses its views. We must beging to be active members of our society by lending voice to issues.

* Get involved in the Student Team Action motivation Project where students and the future leaders discuss local issues and provide information and advice to their local Council.

* Get to know your would be councilors, Council Chairperson and what plans they have for your community, let us begin to hold our elected members accountable

* When you are 18 years and above ensure you vote- vote in your Local Council Elections: Residents over 18 can vote in Council elections. The only conditions for voting is that you are a citizens and have attained the voting age..

* Attend a Council Meeting. All meetings of Council and permanent committees are open to the public. Any person from the public is welcome to attend. Check with your local Council office for the date, time and location of meetings.

* If there is an issue of concern to you regarding your area, write a letter to the us at CITIZENS FEEDBACK.COM asking that it be brought to the attention of Council. You may also form a deputation (as an individual or a group) by writing to your Council and asking to be heard at a Council meeting. Ask your Ward Councillor to support you.

* Get to know your ward Councillor. He or she is elected to represent you, so feel free to ask what the Council is doing. We will provide all the details of the elected officers -the name and phone number of your ward Councillor.

* Volunteer to help out with a particular community service which your Council provides or assists with such as volunteer visiting projects.

* Apply for a Community Grant. Some Councils have limited funds available for community projects. Apply for a grant to get a project or program, which you are interested in, started in your local area.

* Take up a petition on an issue which you feel strongly about. This can be an effective means of drawing your Council's attention to an event or issue of concern to residents. It's a good idea to speak to your ward Councillor first.

CITIZENS FEEDBACK.COM