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Local Government
Rochford District Council
Rochford District Council
Talking with Simon Smith, new Chairman of Rochford District Council, 2011 to 2012 - CONTINUATION
RL: There’s a lot of networking going on?
Simon: Yes. Another thing was the launch of the Essex Book Festival at Chelmsford. I think it was at the end of last term, while I was still vice-chairman, and we met a number of people, and one of the authors, a lady, had written a book called ‘Essex Girls’ but it wasn’t as the title suggested; it was Essex girls through history, Anne Boleyn for instance. Having made the contact we found that this lady lives in Rayleigh and so I have passed on the details to the librarian and we are looking at her coming in some time.
RL: The previous Chairman seemed to indicate that there were a lot of opportunities for you to bring about networking.
Simon: Yes, that’s right. You get the idea of what being the Chairman might involve, because you get the weekly list, which is a newsletter for the council, showing engagements etc., but until you actually start doing it you don’t appreciate what it is really all about, and the sort of people you’ll be meeting, the places you will be going, and what that actually entails.
RL: Is it going to be just a single year?
Simon: Yes, that’s right. I suppose theoretically I could put myself forward again but you wouldn’t do that. There are a number of people who would like to be Chairman and when the nominations are put forward there are always two or three, and it would be quite unfair to try and monopolise it. The format is that the person who is normally Vice-Chairman would become Chairman unless something like an election came up and they failed to be elected. My Vice-Chairman is a lady called Joan Mockford and she’ll represent me if I’ve got double bookings or it’s a school time when I can’t do it. As long as she gets elected next May then she will become the Chairman next year. At that time I will see if the Leader of the Council wants me to do another job.
RL: I believe the Chairman has a charity each year. Do you have one?
Simon: That caused me a bit of a problem, actually, because I had a couple of ideas, a year or more ago, about what I could support, but then bit by bit I started to go out to events and I started to visit places and I’ve seen what hard work goes on by so many different organizations, often on a shoestring with no real resources, and people giving their time for no other reason than they believe it is right. When you start to see all these people, you start to think that they could do with a bit of help and so you start to get these conflicting ideas. Having seen these various people and their needs, especially in the present economic climate, you realise there is not a lot of money to go around and people are finding it harder and harder, so I’ve described my charity this year as looking to support a basket of local charities. I’d like all the charities to be based in the District and essentially I think I am going for something that supports the mature generation, something that’s for middle range and something that’s child orientated. It’s supporting people but in the three profiles of life.
RL: A final question. You must have learnt quite a lot in these 11 years, having worn a number of different hats. From what you’ve learnt in your time as being a District Councillor, what three things could you say to new councillors, to help them?
Simon: Someone recently asked me what quality would you need as a councillor and the three things I would say are that
RL: There’s a lot of networking going on?
Simon: Yes. Another thing was the launch of the Essex Book Festival at Chelmsford. I think it was at the end of last term, while I was still vice-
RL: The previous Chairman seemed to indicate that there were a lot of opportunities for you to bring about networking.
Simon: Yes, that’s right. You get the idea of what being the Chairman might involve, because you get the weekly list, which is a newsletter for the council, showing engagements etc., but until you actually start doing it you don’t appreciate what it is really all about, and the sort of people you’ll be meeting, the places you will be going, and what that actually entails.
RL: Is it going to be just a single year?
Simon: Yes, that’s right. I suppose theoretically I could put myself forward again but you wouldn’t do that. There are a number of people who would like to be Chairman and when the nominations are put forward there are always two or three, and it would be quite unfair to try and monopolise it. The format is that the person who is normally Vice-
RL: I believe the Chairman has a charity each year. Do you have one?
Simon: That caused me a bit of a problem, actually, because I had a couple of ideas, a year or more ago, about what I could support, but then bit by bit I started to go out to events and I started to visit places and I’ve seen what hard work goes on by so many different organizations, often on a shoestring with no real resources, and people giving their time for no other reason than they believe it is right. When you start to see all these people, you start to think that they could do with a bit of help and so you start to get these conflicting ideas. Having seen these various people and their needs, especially in the present economic climate, you realise there is not a lot of money to go around and people are finding it harder and harder, so I’ve described my charity this year as looking to support a basket of local charities. I’d like all the charities to be based in the District and essentially I think I am going for something that supports the mature generation, something that’s for middle range and something that’s child orientated. It’s supporting people but in the three profiles of life.
RL: A final question. You must have learnt quite a lot in these 11 years, having worn a number of different hats. From what you’ve learnt in your time as being a District Councillor, what three things could you say to new councillors, to help them?
Simon: Someone recently asked me what quality would you need as a councillor and the three things I would say are that
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you’ve really got to be genuinely interested in your area and your District,
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you’ve got to like meeting people, and perhaps the most difficult one,
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you’ve got to be very honest with yourself and know that deep down you are a decent person not doing it for an angle or a margin that is going to benefit you.
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It’s often people from outside who can tell you if you are the sort of person. I would say that those three things are particular qualities that you need to have.
In terms of knowledge,
In terms of knowledge,
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first, to make sure you don’t open your mouth too soon, and make sure you know the facts before you start going,
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second, make sure you respect other people’s opinions; don’t just dismiss them out of hand, because at the end of the day I would say that well over 90 per cent of what we do in Council is consensual anyway; there are just a few things that are politically hot, and we’ll have very good, strong debate about those.
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I think a third thing I’ve learnt is just how lucky we are to have a District like we’ve got and although you don’t want to wrap it in cling-
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RL: Well, thank you for that; that is really excellent. Simon, thank you so much for sharing so comprehensively on so many aspects of your new role. May it be a good year! Perhaps we may follow up in six months and see how it has gone. Thank you again.
If you would like to invite the Chairman to an event you are organising, a celebration, school activity or even an opening of a new business. Please contact Julia Mitchell, Civic Officer, Rochford District Council, Council offices, South Street, Rochford, Essex SS4 1BW. Telephone 01702 318144 or email: julia.mitchell@rochford.gov.uk
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