'You’re never really with us, even when you’re here': Ex-councillor reveals pressure behind the scenes

An ex-councillor of 13 years said the role is a privilege, but can put pressure on family life and finances.

Leigh Bramall, director at Sheffield-based communications and public affairs company Counter Context, represented Southey as a councillor for 13 years, from 2004 to 2017.

He held a senior position of cabinet member for six of those years, and eventually became deputy leader, but over the time he felt it was impossible to please everyone.

He said: “As soon as you make a decision, some people aren’t happy about it, and they’ll let you know.

“There’s a lot that is outside of the control of councils and councillors, but people still think you have control of it.”

An example Mr Bramall shared was a major regeneration project in the city centre.

“Heart of the City took a long time to get going. I used to try and just remind people that I’m a human being. I said, I live in the city. I have a family in the city. Why would I not want this to do well?”

He also felt the “public political pressure” of constant scrutiny.

“I used to often get, when I was a senior councillor, 300 emails a day. It’s impossible to answer 300 emails a day. If you add in social media, you can see how it just becomes unmanageable.”

Mr Bramall was starting a young family at the same time he was on the council, and said it was a challenge to balance.

He said: “Part of my family’s complaint was that when I was not on duty in my council role, I was never really with them, because my phone would be buzzing all the time.

“It’s not that rare that someone would be having a go at you. Then you feel anxious about that, and so you’re just completely distracted.

“So they’d say, well, you’re never really with us, even when you’re here.”

Despite it being “a controversial thing to talk about”, he also found the role difficult financially, which became a driving reason for him to leave.

Before taking a senior role, he was also working full time, but after becoming a cabinet member, he quit his job which was “quite a substantial pay cut”.

He said: “At the time when I was deputy leader and cabinet member, I was earning £20,000 a year for doing that role, and it was probably about 60 hours a week, and a lot of pressure.

“And bear in mind, if you lose an election, that’s it. It stops instantly.”

Despite the various pressures and sacrifices, Mr Bramall said: “It was a privilege to be in a position where you could try and influence and shape what happened in the city.

“It really upset me leaving. It really did. I love that job,” Mr Bramall reflected. “But 13 years is a good stint.”