Councillors are elected to represent their local community. It’s their job to make sure the views of local communities are represented and fed into decisions taken by the council.They also have a responsibility to look at how well the council is delivering services and whether it is working properly and to raise concerns if it is not.

They also do case work: supporting people or communities who are experiencing problems. This could be with council services; other organisations such as housing associations; or local businesses.

Some councillors are members of political groups and others sit as independents. They are all supposed to follow the Nolan Principles of Public Life

Councillors are given an allowance. In Newcastle it is £10218 per year before tax.