Residents in Newtown interested in the activities carried out by their local councillor can now view their annual report online.
Annual reports for 2015-16 produced by individual councillors can be found on their individual webpages by visiting Powys County Council’s website www.powys.gov.uk and search for find your councillor.
When written, reports give a snapshot of a councillor’s activities over the last year including membership of committees and attendances, issues taken up on behalf of constituents, development sessions attended and other activities.
The reports were first introduced in 2012-13 as part of a Welsh Government initiative to strengthen local democracy.
The Newtown Powys county councillors are:
Newtown East - Cllr Joy Jones
Newtown Llanllwchaiarn North - Cllr Gemma-Jane Bowker
Newtown Llanllwchairn West - Cllr Peter Harris
Newtown Central - Cllr Russell George
Newtown South - Cllr Bob Mills
“The writing of reports is optional. However those councillors who do not wish to take up the option of writing a “full” report, will have a less detailed report agreed with them, which will give details of membership of committees, attendances and development sessions attended,” said a council statement.
“This will ensure that the public can access basic information about all councillors.”
Cllr Sandra Davies, Chairman of the council’s Democratic Services Committee, said: “Annual reports give residents an insight into the work carried out by councillors in representing their constituents. The idea is to promote greater understanding of the councillor’s role, greater transparency and greater accountability.”
If a member of the public wants to comment on a report they should contact the councillor concerned, according to the county council.
