I’ve been reflecting on what people want and should expect from public service, whether from elected politicians or from public service employees.
Following the local government elections in May, I proposed and Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors on Earley Town Council voted in favour of asking all councillors to sign the Councillor Code of Conduct.
As a member of the Wokingham Borough Council Standards committee, I see this as an important component of how the Borough promotes standards of good behaviour.
The principles of public life are set out in the Code: selflessness – acting in the public interest; integrity – avoiding or influence and not acting for personal gain; objectivity – basing decisions on evidence, being impartial and fair; accountability – holding actions up to scrutiny; openness – being transparent within the law; honesty – being truthful and leading by example, treating people with respect and challenging poor behaviours.
I wondered how we might use this as a report card to judge the last 13 years of government?
Our international reputation as an open society has been damaged. Following a draining period of lies, poor decision-making, obfuscation and unspeakable waste of money along with depleted long-term investment, vital core public services are on their knees.
More importantly, decisions made to benefit personal power and factional interests have had a traumatic impact on ordinary people’s lives.
A widening gap in income has direct consequences for health.
It’s estimated that 9 million British adults are struggling to afford to eat every day. There is a proven link between poor nutrition and diet deficiencies and the onset of depression in adults and children’s growth and mental capacity. Hungry kids can’t learn effectively and can’t fulfil their potential. Bad government breaks people’s lives.
Many families have struggled through the last few years and face tough times ahead and Wokingham borough is no different. I admire the local voluntary sector’s work distributing food but the growing need for it is profoundly depressing.
Being an elected councillor or MP is a privilege. It comes with responsibility to find solutions to problems – not to create despair. It is important that as councillors we can be held accountable and all adopt the behaviours and responsibilities associated with the role. Our conduct as an individual councillor affects the reputation of all councillors.
We want the role of councillor to be one that people aspire to. We also want individuals from a range of backgrounds and circumstances to be putting themselves forward to become councillors.
As councillors, we represent local residents, work to develop better services and deliver local change. Wokingham Borough residents rightly have high expectations of us and entrust us to represent our local area.
As set out in the Councillor Code of Conduct, the Labour group on Earley Town Council will strive to take decisions fairly, openly, and transparently. We have both an individual and collective responsibility to meet residents’ expectations by maintaining high standards and demonstrating good conduct, and by challenging behaviour which falls below expectations.
Cllr Sheena Matthews is the Labour ward member for Whitegates at Earley Town Council
