What is the role of the local councillor?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe what a councillor is and explain some of their key roles and responsibilities.
Key learning points
- A local councillor in the UK is an elected representative who helps make decisions about local services and policies.
- A local councillor works with their community to address local issues, make decisions on local services.
- Local councillors are supported by council officers who have specialist skills knowledge in different areas.
- Skills, such as communication, listening, trustworthiness and commitment, are useful for local councillors to have.
Keywords
Councillor - elected representatives who make decisions, set policies and represent the views of the community
Ward - smaller, specific area within a local council's district
Council officers - often those with specialist knowledge who work for the council; support councillors to make decisions for the local area
Common misconception
Local councillors are the same as MPs.
MPs represent local areas on a national level. Councillors represent residents at a local level within cities, towns or counties. Councillors do not get a say in making laws, like MPs do. Councillors get an allowance, while MPs are paid a salary.
Teacher tip
Nothing makes the role of a local councillor more real than meeting one in person. If possible, arrange for your local councillor to visit your class for a Q&A session.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is this describing? A group of people elected to represent citizens and make decisions on how the local area should be run.
Q2.If an area is run by just one council, this is a tier local government system.
Q3.What is the name of the type of council which is focused on a small part of a town or a village?
Q4.Tick all of the services/roles a local council is involved with.
Q5.What is this describing? The money a person or government earns.
Q6.Match the word to the correct definition.
when a council gives permission for a person/business to do something
money a citizen or a business pays to a council to fund their services
support/care to help, e.g. older people's care or disability needs
ways in which to help, support and/or serve the public
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which is the best description of a council officer?
Q2.An __________ is the small amount of money given to local councillors to help them carry out their role.
Q3.Which of these is not the role of a councillor?
Q4.If a person wants to be a councillor, they must be 18, a British/Commonwealth citizen and...
Q5.Match the quality to its correct description.
understanding and identifying with the needs and feelings of others
can be relied upon to do what they say
people feel comfortable and welcomed when contacting a person
collaborating with others
makes sure the councillor knows what the area needs
Q6.Which of the following statements are correct?
To help you plan your 7 citizenship lesson on: What is the role of the local councillor?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 citizenship lesson on: What is the role of the local councillor?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the How does local democracy work? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.