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Cllr Carl on 'wearing two hats' 7 Oct 2024 Being both a District and a Parish Councillor

We chat to Cllr Carl on balancing two local government roles alongside his work and life.

Which role came first, being a District Councillor or a Parish Councillor?

I became an Eynsham Parish Councillor in 2017 to find out more about local government before taking ‘the plunge’ and going for the district role the following year.

How does the process of applying for/securing each position compare?

I was co-opted to become a Parish Councillor since there was a spare place on the council (we can have a maximum of 15 councillors in Eynsham). Theoretically an election is held every four years, but in the last round of elections for Eynsham we didn’t have more than 15 people standing, so all candidates were successful.

Standing for election for the district involves running a campaign with leaflets, canvassing etc. for which I am supported by the local Liberal Democrat group. Eynsham council is non-political so I don’t stand on a party ticket.

Did you seek both positions for the same reason, or for different reasons?

The essential reason for both is to serve the community and help to keep the village a great place to live and work in. The differences with district are the wider remit of responsibilities (across the whole district) and also working with my Liberal Democrat colleagues to strengthen our presence and thus further policies and principles we collectively believe in.

What are the biggest challenges in each position?

At first – for both parish and district – there is a lot to learn, especially around the wider topics, such as planning. And I’m still learning all the time. I joined the planning committee when I became a District Councillor: this is a heavy responsibility since we have to make important decisions, some of them quite difficult and which require an understanding of local and national planning policy (e.g. what are valid reasons for refusing an application).

What is the most enjoyable aspect of each position?

When my actions help to make a real difference. Sometimes that’s at district level where I have helped push forward climate change policies, worked to reduce single-use plastics, supported EU citizens through the Brexit changes etc. At other times it’s helping individuals with casework on individual matters.

Do you ever have any conflicts or difficulties in holding both positions?

Not really since the roles are complimentary. Being on both means I can be a bridge between the two councils.

Do you have to have public political affiliations to become a District Councillor?

No, but it’s more difficult to be elected as an independent without the support of a political party.

How do you prepare for District Council elections?

I work with the local Liberal Democrats on planning the campaign, discussing details such as the messaging for literature and recruiting volunteers. There is also a lot of organisation of the team involved. I would go canvassing, which I really enjoy as it’s a great way to understand residents’ views on political issues.

What do you hope to achieve in your time as a Councillor on both councils?

I hope to make sure that any new housing across the district, especially in Eynsham, is to the greatest possible benefit for both new and existing residents. This is a real challenge given how centralised politics is in this country and, hence, being dependent on the national government. I also wish to continue supporting the amazing work of local groups here, especially on climate change, nature recovery and the green agenda in general. And I’m also keen to encourage young people to feel more empowered in local politics.

What changes have you seen in terms of local issues, budgets, pressures and people over the years?

Budgetary pressures have become even greater. One effect of this is that town and parish councils have had to pick-up more responsibilities. Eynsham Parish Council has grown in the last years to reflect the increased workload.

How do you manage to still have a job while being a Councillor?

My day-job in IT is reasonably flexible and I have been fortunate to work for companies that have allowed flexibility for me to fit in my council duties. All parish meetings are in the evening, so there is very seldom a conflict there.

Do you get any free time? If yes, how do you like to spend it?

I spend my free time either with my family or on personal hobbies. I host a podcast on European history, although this is currently on hiatus. I also enjoy sports such as tennis, and getting out to appreciate nature and our countryside.

Would you be interested in joining Carl on Eynsham Parish Council? We have vacancies for new Councillors. Find out more details on this webpage or email epc.comms@eynsham-pc.gov.uk with any questions or to arrange an informal chat.

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