Sir, – It was most interesting to read the ideas of those you
interviewed for the Personally Speaking feature last week. Of course, Waverley Borough Council should be a mix of experience and youth and it should also have representatives from as many varied backgrounds as possible.
As councillors, many of us do try to persuade all sorts of people to join us, but the fact is that most refuse. However, if you should wish to find out more about council work, please get in touch with your local councillor, who will be only too pleased to explain the role and commitment.
It may be true that the average age of a Waverley borough
councillor is above retirement age, but we do exist outside the council chamber. Many of us have children at university and are well aware of the problems of student debt; others have children trying desperately to find affordable accommodation in the area. Yet more have elderly parents and fully understand the problem of health care and hospital transport. We are not completely divorced from reality!
The other important fact is that we do not vote on issues only from a personal point of view. Any councillor worthy of the name takes into account the views of every resident who writes, phones or e-mails on a particular issue and weighs these against the
information to which we are all privy.
We have to represent all the people in our ward, not just the vocal pressure groups and no single person has a monopoly of
wisdom, although to hear certain councillors talk, it appears that some have not realised this basic fact!
Despite the constant criticism, the life of a councillor can be varied and, as ever, it is the contact with a variety of people that gives the greatest pleasure. If you think it may be for you, please do get in touch.
Mrs Carole Cockburn, Councillor
Pine Ridge Drive, Lower Bourne, Farnham