Effective Representation for Local Communities

A functioning and effective local democracy requires a nuanced approach to the number of citizens councillors are required to represent. The councillor’s representative ratio influences the quality of democracy generally and specific aspects of the various roles conducted by councillors.

Given that England has the largest units of local government and the fewest councillors across Europe we are surprisingly unaware of the impact that has on the effectiveness of local democracy and the demands and expectations it generates for councillors in England.