National Census of Local Authority Councillors 2010

Helen Aston, Kelly Kettlewell

24 October 2011

Executive summary

The findings from the councillors' census 2010 are now available on line. NFER carried out this sixth survey of local authority councillors in England for the LGA. The 2010 Census collected data over November 2010 to February 2011 and updates the previous Censuses in 1997, 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2008. Findings are based on responses from 6,082 (33.4 per cent) councillors in office in England.

Key Findings

  • 91.1 per cent of councillors considered themselves to be effective or very effective in their role
  • 88.2 per cent of councillors cited a desire to serve the community as their reason for wanting to become a councillor
  • 93.8 per cent thought that listening to local views was the most important thing for councillors to do, while 91.1 per cent said that supporting the local community was the most important thing for them to do.
  • Around half (50.6 per cent) said that their council was fully committed to allowing people to have a say on services provided locally though consultation and feedback.
  • 83.4 per cent of councillors would recommend taking on the role to others.

Additional information

National census of local authority councillors 2010

Sponsor Details

LGA