As taxpayers, Do local Councillors have to do what we tell them to do?

Councillors are elected officials who are entrusted to represent the interests of their constituents and make decisions on their behalf. While they are expected to take into account the views and concerns of the public, they are not obligated to do everything they are told to do by the public.

The role of a councillor is to act in the best interests of their local community, taking into account a wide range of factors, including the needs of different groups within the community, legal requirements, and the long-term implications of their decisions. Councillors are also expected to be guided by their own values and principles, and to exercise their own judgement in making decisions.

Ultimately, councillors are accountable to the public through the democratic process, and if they do not act in the interests of their constituents, they can be held to account at the ballot box. However, it is important to recognise that being a councillor involves making difficult decisions, and sometimes these decisions may be unpopular with some members of the public. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the councillor to explain their reasoning and engage in dialogue with the public to ensure that they understand the rationale behind the decision.