‘We should take the responsibility of voting seriously’

BECOMING a political candidate takes place within a rigorous process, ,part of which is set out in the Nolan Principles.

These are; Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership. Candidates and serving Councillors must uphold these principles in the public and private lives.

The opportunity to serve as an elected officer is a privilege requiring scrutiny by the electorate who deserve an open and transparent relationship with their ward councillors.

Voting is a responsibility we should take seriously at both national and local levels.

To ensure our council is acting under these principles members of the public are welcome to attend most council meetings to observe, and can also read the minutes of meetings and scrutinise the process via webcam on the Staffordshire Moorlands Council website.

We can watch what councillors and our council do, and say, on our behalf and make a judgement on who we want to represent us in our ward and our town. Lyn Swindlehurst Leek