Wanted: Councillors for Orkney
OIC launches campagn....
(Story dated: Saturday, September 30, 2006)

Orkney Islands Council has launched an all out campaign to encourage local people to stand for election as councillors at the local authority elections due to take place on May 3 next year.

The campaign is part of a Scottish Executive initiative to promote the role of local councillors and to encourage a new generation of candidates from a wide range of backgrounds.

Head of Office Scotland - the Electoral Commission, Andy O’Neill, and Head of the Local Democracy Team for the Scottish Executive, Russell Bain, visited Orkney on Friday to give a special ‘Election 2007’ seminar to councillors. Highlights of the seminar included the importance of public awareness of the Scottish elections in 2007 for the Scottish Parliament and local government and the way the Single Transferable Vote process would work.

Mr O’Neill said that he had been impressed by the Council’s commitment to providing information about the forthcoming elections for the Council and Scottish Parliament and added: “It’s clear that Orkney has a commitment to ensuring that voters can exercise their democratic rights on May 3 2007. The Commission looks forward to working with the Council in the future to ensure voters can vote with confidence on May 3.”

The Council will be providing a dedicated Election 2007 web page on their website www.orkney.gov.uk and will be making electoral registration forms available from the web site.

Returning Officer and Chief Executive of Orkney Islands Council Alistair Buchan said that the Council would be making every effort between now and May 3 to attract people who are committed to serving their communities and looking after the interests of people who live there.

He said: “The men and women who make up the membership of Orkney Islands Council make a substantial contribution to life in Orkney in all its aspects, influencing a whole range of issues important to us all such as education of our children, the condition of our roads and provision of affordable housing.

“There is the added attraction of a new salary and pension scheme for those elected in 2007.”

The role of councillor comes with a great deal of work and responsibility but the rewards include the satisfaction of being a part of changing things for the better in Orkney. An Orkney resident, who was a councillor in 2003, said: “I spent an exciting and enjoyable four years as a councillor and I left with no regrets. It was an eye opening experience for me, I learnt a lot and I feel I made a small difference to some people’s lives.”

So why did he stand in the first place?

“I was interested in finding out about how the council works. There are a lot of people who complain about the council. But rather than just moan and do nothing about it, I decided to stand as a councillor myself.

“I was also keen to represent my area. It was a ward with a school and with a lot of young people living in it – and I was well placed to speak on their behalf.

“I probably had a poor opinion of the council before I went in. But I came out with a much better impression. I learnt so much about how things work, the way decisions are taken and the impact this has on people and communities across the county.

“I had an insider’s view of the way the council operates and I worked hard to influence that process. Personally, I feel everything I learned will stand me in good stead for the rest of my life. I was realistic enough to know I wasn’t going to change the world by becoming a councillor. But you do have a very real role to play in discussions and decisions that have an impact on people’s lives.

“As a councillor you represent the people of your area – and you spend a lot of time helping individuals with issues that directly affect them. That’s what gave me the greatest sense of satisfaction.”

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a Councillor, contact Orkney Island Council’s Election Office on 873535