Bethan Evans - Successful relationships between councillors and officers

Purpose of the Module

To address the key relationship between councillors and officers, to consider the potential areas of friction/risk, to review good practice and guidance and to consider relevant codes of conduct.

Perfect for

• Newly elected councillors (ideal as part of an induction programme)
• Councillors in leadership roles
• Councillors on Standards Committees
• Councillors in HR roles e.g. staffing committee or appeal panels

Module Content

• The role of elected councillors in local government
• The role of officers (including statutory officers)
• The central importance of the relationship between members and officers in an effective council
• Good practice and guidance
• Relevant codes and protocols including any local codes and member/officer protocols
• Areas of potential risk/friction and how to avoid/mitigate these
• Skills Framework

Addresses all the skills but particularly

• Local leadership
• Partnership working
• Communication skills
• Political understanding

Outcomes

That councillors fully understand the inter-dependent roles of members and officers and are confident in the codes, protocols and legal requirements which apply to the relationship.