A local councillor is expected to:
Attend and participate at council meetings
Raise matters to be duly considered and decided at council meetings
Represent his or her council externally
It is important to remember that the job of the council is to represent the interests of the whole community. Understanding the needs of different groups in the community (such as young and elderly people) is an important part of the role of councillor. Occasionally there will be a conflict of interest requiring sensitive judgement; for example, dog owners, parents of young children and walkers might disagree about use of the village green owned by the council. Making difficult decisions, in an open and reasoned way, is something that local councils need to do well although some councillors who, for example, represent a ward may also choose to represent the interests of individual residents, this activity is independent of the council.