Guide for schools
Councillors
Elected every 4 years by everyone in the District who is aged 18 or over (and eligible to vote).
Represent political parties or can be Independent. Each represents a part of the District known as a Ward.
Some Wards are represented by more than one Councillor. Councillors come from all walks of life, age groups and backgrounds.
Officers
Salaried employees of the Council - appointed not elected. Non-political. Their role is to implement council decisions, provide advice, and manage delivery of services.
Functions of Officers of the Council include: architect, accountant, administrator, barrister, benefits, building surveyor, building control, building repairs, care-taker, chartered civil engineer, chartered secretary, cleaner, computer operator, conservation, designer, drainage engineer, draughtsperson, ecologist, economic development, electrical engineer, environmental health, highways engineer, horticulture, homelessness, housing, licensing, mechanical engineer, payroll & pensions, planner, press & PR, printer, quantity surveyor, receptionist, recreation, secretary, solicitor, sports, switchboard, systems analyst, tourism, waste & recycling.
In the Local Government Act 1972 the Government delegated specific duties to local government, together with the necessary powers to raise some of the money needed to pay for them. These duties are called statutory duties. The Council also carries out some other duties that are non-statutory.
County Councils generally have responsibility for strategic planning, highways, traffic, social
services, education, libraries, fire service, refuse disposal and consumer protection. District Councils are generally responsible for local planning, housing, environmental health, markets
and fairs, refuse collection, cemeteries and crematoria, leisure services and parks, tourism and electoral registration.
Guide for schools menu
E-mail: democraticservices@dover.gov.uk
