They sit around the town hall all day and drink coffee, go to meetings and talk a lot, and they are more interested in national politics than what's going on where their constituents live.
Those are just some of the popular views about the work of local councillors that Wigan Council is hoping to change during this year's Local Democracy Week.
Wigan Council says the truth about the work of elected members is far removed from these s
tereotypes.
In fact, the council says cou ncillors are all too often undervalued, undermined and misunderstood.
Wiganers are being offered the chance to meet and talk with elected members to find out more about their varied, demanding and vital role.
Local Democracy Week organiser Simon Dale said: "We want people to find out more about what their councillors do.
"Nationally, research suggests that lack of awareness about the role of local councillors is greater than ever, and it is this lack of knowledge that could be putting people off making the decision to stand up for their own community and become a local councillor."
The list of councillor's duties is exhaustive and they are hoping to use Local Democracy Week to banish the myths about how they spend their time for good.
Here are just some of the things local councillors get involved with:
Sorting out housing problems.
Improving the environment.
Championing the interests of their community.
Helping people have their say on planning applications.
Working with the police and other agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour.On Monday, the council will be hosting a series of "get to know your councillor" sessions and want as many people as possible to come along.
The events will take place between 6.30pm and 8pm at the following venues:
Golborne Linc Centre, Worsley Street, Golborne – Councis Myra Whiteside and Ged Bretherton will attend.
Ince Community Centre, Manchester Road, Ince – Couns Carl Sweeney, Keith Cunliffe and Brian Merry will attend.
The Queen's Methodist Hall Mission, Crompton Street, Wigan – Couns
Eunice Smethurst, Eddie Russon and Steve Dawber will attend.
Mr Dale said: "From making the big decisions on education, transport and the local economy through to sorting out problems over the garden fence, the remit of councillors is vast. They are involved in every sphere of life in the borough."
For more information, contact Wigan Council resource and development manager Brian Leigh on 01942 828072.
The full article contains 403 words and appears in Wigan Evening Post newspaper.
