Green Party councillors in Ware have been working hard to ensure that the Town Council truly represents the local community. To do this effectively, councillors have focused on removing barriers that prevent residents from standing as Town Councillors.
After taking control of Ware Town Council in May 2023, Green Party councillors set up a working group to identify how any barriers, including childcare commitments or those without access to a computer, could be removed. In order to eliminate some of the barriers and encourage greater diversity, an optional allowance was introduced.
Green Party Ware Town Councillor, Cllr Andrew Zsibrita, said: “I believe the councillor allowance is a fantastic, quick and impactful first step towards bringing greater diversity to Ware Town Council and with it, a more accurate and varied representation of the people of Ware.
“Previously, becoming a Town Councillor was only an option for those that had the spare time to go to meetings and the ability to access emails. This optional allowance won’t give people more time but it does allow a potential candidate to counterbalance the financial loss of reducing their working hours slightly, or to pay for childcare, freeing up the time to perform council duties.
“It could also be used to pay for a laptop, tablet or other device for someone without the resources to access emails and write reports. I am lucky enough to be in the position that the company I work for allows me to take paid time off to go to council meetings if they fall within working hours, and I have no children. As such, I have not needed to claim the allowance and have no plans to do so for the remainder of my term.”
Leader of Ware Town Council, Cllr Thomas Day, said: “Ensuring local councillors represent the communities in which they serve is hugely important to Green Party councillors on Ware Town Council.
“The work of a councillor is extensive and involves attending a number of meetings, mainly in the evening but also during the day, as well as responding to and engaging with local residents, council staff, community groups and other stakeholders.
“These demands often mean that councillors only come from a very narrow demographic section of the community.
“The barrier to entry is too high for many, with the demands on time and energy too great for those who would need to balance the role with paid work, and with higher caring and domestic responsibilities. This excludes many of those who would otherwise be able to make vital and important contributions to their local councils and communities.
“The modest allowance is intended to reduce these barriers not just to entry, but also to being an active and effective councillor. Ware Town Council is ambitious and aims to be a more inclusive, open, and accessible council.”
A number of Green Party Ware Town Councillors have not claimed the allowance.