Lobbying your local council can have two aims.
- Changing the local concessionary bus travel scheme
- Getting the local council to lobby the Government.
Some areas have both a district council and a county council. You are represented by local councillors on both. The district council is responsible for local travel. However, the county council can also apply pressure. So it is worth contacting both district and county councillors. Other areas have a single unitary council.
To find out who your local councillors are, look on your council’s website or phone or visit your town hall or library.
You can write to or meet your councillors. Explain the problems you have with the national bus passes and why change is needed. Ask your councillors to raise the issues with the council. They could ask the council to improve the local concessionary travel scheme. They could also ask the council to pass a resolution to lobby central government for changes.
Devon County Council passed a resolution to lobby central government for changes. Sense can provide a copy of the wording of this resolution if you or your councillor would like to use it as a starting point.
Before your meeting, plan what it is you want to say. Try to be clear about what it is you want your councillor to do. Remember that your councillor is busy and that you will probably only have around 15 minutes for your meeting. Planning ahead helps to make the meeting efficient and effective.
Tell your councillor about your experiences with the concessionary bus pass scheme and how changing the concession would benefit you. Ask your councillor for assistance in persuading the council to change the local concession. Also ask your councillor to put forward a resolution for the council to lobby the Government for changes to the national concession. If your councillor agrees to help, make sure that you understand what he or she is going to do.
After your meeting, write a short (one-page) letter thanking your councillor. Summarise the key points of your discussion. Mention any agreed action. This means that your councillor cannot forget what was agreed. It also makes your councillor feel positive about meeting you. It's always nice to be thanked.
If you agreed to do anything, such as send your councillor further information, make sure you do it. If your councillor agreed to do something after the meeting, chase it up if you do not hear in a reasonable time.
Use our template letters to help you. You will need to adapt them for your own situation.
Templates
- Send a letter to your local councillor
- Request a meeting with your local councillor
- Thank your local councillor for meeting with you
