HAVE you ever wondered what is involved in being a district councillor for your local community?

The Forest Journal has been speaking to New Forest District Councillor Annie Bellows, who serves the Fordingbridge ward, to find out more about her role.

Cllr Bellows was elected on to the district council last year following in the footsteps of her daughter Roxy who previously served as the councillor for the ward.

She said she was asked many years ago about becoming a councillor but back then did not have the time to be able to commit to the role and adds: “The 2019 elections felt right as I have more time to commit to the role. I really felt I could now make a difference, get involved and do something positive for the area I live in. Putting politics aside, it is the people that matter, all of them whether they voted for me or not.”

Cllr Bellows say she is contacted about a variety of issues and problems from planning and enforcement to footpaths, noise complaints and fly-tipping.

She says she was able to support a person who had mental health issues to get the help they need and assisted a resident in filling out a complicated council form by getting someone to call her and talk her through it. Recently, she flagged up a potential health and safety issue regarding a collapsing wall near the planters outside Co-op in Fordingbridge, which is in the process of be sorted out.

“It is really satisfying [getting problems and issues resolved]. They may be just little things but in the bigger picture they all add up,” said Annie.

“What we can do as councillors is give people ideas, point them in the right direction, make suggestions, report [issues if we can’t address the problem they have come to us with].

“There are a lot of aspects that are frustrating that we can’t do everything we would like to do but there is a lot we can do. It is quite satisfying when we can help someone,” said Cllr Bellows.

Attending council meetings, which at the moment are being held virtually online, is also an important part of the role. These also include town council meetings as well other other bodies.

“It has been an eye-opener,” says Cllr Bellows. “It’s been great to see how everything works together and the bigger picture.”

She added: “I really enjoy working with the town and parish councillors as together with our combined local knowledge we can make a difference.”

Councillors can also join various committees, including planning, appeals, licensing, environment and scrutiny. During her time as a councillor, Cllr Bellows has also been involved in the electoral review, which has made recommendations to the Boundary Commission.

Cllr Bellows sits on the planning committee, which she admits can be “frustrating” adding: “We have to base our decisions on good, sound planning reasons as to why an application is approved or refused as either decision can be taken to appeal and if the decision was over turned then this could result in potentially costing the council a lot of money.”

Part of this role is keeping an eye on local planning applications coming forward and enforcement. In the future she hope improvements will be made to the sewerage system in Fordingbridge.

“It is keeping on top of these things to make sure they don’t fly under the radar,” said Cllr Bellows.