From £205 + VAT

A local authority is a big business: it must work within a political culture and a decision-making framework. The whole Council cannot sit in permanent session debating all the detailed issues and making all the necessary decisions. Apart from the practicalities that would arise, it has limited powers to intervene in decisions on executive functions. The framework is complex; different legal requirements and procedural rules apply to different types of meetings. The Local Government Acts prescribe much of the legal framework, but it is important not to forget that the courts also have a very important part to play in local authority decision-making.

Delivered by highly experienced speaker Peter Edwards, this practical course will give participants a good introduction to the law and practice of local authority meetings and a basic knowledge and understanding of council constitutions, especially executive arrangements and the committee system. The course will include new insights and good practice tips to help you to carry out your role effectively, whilst also giving you the confidence to apply what you have learned. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with the speaker and with each other, share experience, ask questions, and participate in case study examples.

This course is aimed at lawyers and democratic services officers and others who wish to understand the basics of the legal framework of local authority meetings; how to prepare for and handle meetings, including some of the statutory and procedural rules that apply; and benefit from some good practice tips on how to advise elected members with confidence.

Speakers

Peter Edwards

Former Head of Democratic ServicesAs an interim manager, Peter has led Democratic Services at Richmond upon Thames and Croydon, Sheffield, Tunbridge Wells and Horsham. Other assignments include reviews of the council’s constitution in a hung authority, the democratic services function in one of England’s largest local authorities, and the scrutiny function in several district and county councils.

Peter is former Head of Democratic Services with Surrey County Council where he had responsibility for democratic services, the Council’s constitution, executive decision-making and scrutiny. Peter has also worked for several London boroughs, a district council, a police authority, a probation board and an urban development corporation.

A chartered secretary, with a Master’s degree in local government, Peter has completed the IDeA Advanced Leadership Programme run by Ashridge College.

Peter has many years’ experience of delivering training programmes around the country on the law and practice of meetings. He is currently a tutor for LLG Legal Training and South East Employers. For many years he also lectured on the popular week-long residential course for democratic services officers in local government formerly run by UNISON.