ALTON district councillor Robert Saunders has attended the 32nd plenary session of the Council of Europe Congress of Local Authorities in France.

The Council of Europe was established in Strasbourg in 1949, largely at the instigation of Winston Churchill, with the objective of promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law throughout Europe after the Second World War.

It has grown over the years and now covers 47 countries, including Russia and the European parts of the former Soviet Union. The Congress, founded in 1994, meets twice a year in Strasbourg.

New to the role last year, Mr Saunders said of his appointment at the time: “The Congress has helped to strengthen local democracy in countries which, for historical reasons, have suffered dictatorship and lack of independence in recent centuries, and I am eager to play my part in this ongoing work.”

Mr Saunders explained that the Congress (of local authorities and regions) meets twice a year in plenary session in the spring and autumn.

And he added: “Members of national delegations are also invited on fact-finding missions to member countries to observe how elections are conducted.”

This year’s spring plenary session included debates on a range of topics including tackling anti-gypsyism, supporting Turkey toward more local democracy, and what can be done to make the democratic process more attractive and accessible to young people.

During the three-day event, Mr Saunders was elected vice-president of the congress governance committee. The work of the committee includes ensuring good governance practice, democratic processes, accountable public finance, and inter-authority and regional co-operation and e-participation. The committee also co-ordinates the annual European Local Democracy Week.

During his visit to Strasbourg, Mr Saunders took time to visit the European Court of Human Rights and met with the UK’s nominated Justice, Tim Eicke QC.

Mr Saunders said: “Despite the claims made during the EU referendum campaign, the UK remains a fully committed signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights. The court is an umbrella organisation of the Council of Europe, separate from the EU and not therefore immediately affected by Brexit. It has a fundamental role being one of the three key principles underpinning the work of the Council of Europe – human rights, democracy, and rule of law.”

The next meeting of the congress governance committee is in Eupen, Belgium, in May, while the 33rd plenary session will be held in Strasbourg in October.