First

For those of who don't know, I have become a Belfast City Councillor after being co-opted to replace Alderman Ian Crozier.  This will have some implications for the blog which I haven't quite worked out yet but will discuss at a later date.

Between summer disruptions in the Council schedule and my own holidays this has been my first full week as a Councillor.  Those of you who know me will also know my like for numbers.  Also it is one of those roles people don't know what their local Councillor does (although the workload of a Belfast City Councillor is somewhat different from the avergae NI councillor). So here is my first proper week as a Councillor by the numbers to see if that helps understanding of the role.

Required reading (Council meeting papers)

478 pages

Committee Business

3 meetings (Total of 7 hours duration)

Constituency Issues with Council officials

3 meetings (Total of 2 hours 30 minutes duration)

Meetings with Constituents

4 meetings (Total of 4 hours duration)

Topics included NIHE maintenance, private landlord properties, environmental improvements and parades.

Meetings with Party Colleagues

2 (Total of 2 hours duration)

Constituency Issue Letters

3 sent

Constituency Issue Emails

9 sent

Constituency Issue Phone calls

7 made

Note: This is in addition to my full-time job and family commitments.