The following is taken from the job description for a Dorset County Councillor:-

Main duties

• to represent the needs, priorities and aspirations of your electors and the people of Dorset by making yourselves known within your electoral division, being accessible and liaising/consulting extensively with local communities, organisations and businesses
• to promote the county council's mission of 'Improving the Quality of Life for People in Dorset now and for the future', and to act in accordance with the highest standards of probity in public life, seeking to serve the community without personal gain

Key duties within the community

• to seek ways of improving the quality of life for people in Dorset now and for the future by promoting the economic, social and environmental well-being of your local community, having regard to the effects on other communities and the county as a whole
• to find ways of effectively and regularly communicating with your constituents
• to find ways to make yourself accessible to constituents in order that they can raise issues of importance, or personal concern and to take the appropriate action
• to explore new ways, between elections, of being accountable to your constituents
• to work in partnership with your communities and other agencies
• to campaign actively for measures that will support the county council's corporate aims (as approved from year to year)
• to act as the pivot by which various funding streams can be brought together for the benefit of the community
• to act as a corporate parent, especially for those children being looked after by the local authority
• to liaise with other levels of government, agencies or bodies which influence the well-being of your electoral division

Key duties to the county council

• to assist the council in promoting a high level of understanding by people in Dorset of its role and functions and to promote its desire to improve access to information and services
• to attend full council and participate in the business of the council either as:
  
  
  • a member of the cabinet in accordance with Article 7 of the constitution, or
  • a member of one of the council's committees undertaking the role of Overview and Policy Development, Audit and Scrutiny, Quasi Judicial and Regulatory, or other Committees in accordance with Article 8 of the Constitution, or
  • a member of the Standards Committee in accordance with Article 9 of the constitution, or
  • a member of any sub committees, panels or fora from time to time established
• to chair panels, working groups and other meetings as required from time to time
• to be familiar with the county council's policies, plans and priorities
• to liaise with other levels of government, agencies or bodies which influence the well-being of the county
• to undertake other official duties or act as representatives of the county council