Breakout 3: Being a councillor

This session was aimed particularly at people who are considering standing as a councillor in the 2010 elections. A panel of speakers discussed what the role involves, how political parties recruit and select their councillors and how councillors juggle caring and job responsibilities with the demands of council work.

For one of the day's speakers, Cllr Anjana Patel - as for so many of her colleagues in town halls across the capital, the motivation to step up to the plate and stand for election was a desire to make a difference.

"During the course of my professional career as a banker I realised that a lot of good things can be done if committed professionals play an active role in public life. I got involved because I wanted the system to work better - for me and the many that would come after me."

Today, six years on from her first election, Cllr Patel is both portfolio holder for schools and children's development in her own borough of Harrow and lead member for equalities at London Councils. And it's in that role that she's heading up a new campaign to help get even more Londoners thinking about becoming a councillor in the 2010 local elections.

Cllr Anjana Patel is featured in our Be a Councillor campaign which aims to attract new and diverse talent to town halls, particularly form underrepresented groups.

Read Cllr Anjana Patel's full article in the London Bulletin

Vist the beacouncillor.org.uk Opens in a new window website for all the details.

If you have questions that were unanswered at the Summit, you can send them to emma.stewart@londoncouncils.gov.uk

Other speakers on the day were:

• Cllr Hayley Matthews, London Borough of Brent
• Cllr Dr Neeraj Patil, London Borough of Lambeth
• Cllr Clare Whelan, London Borough of Lambeth