All councillors need some support to meet the challenges of their roles within the local government modernisation agenda. Experienced members need continuing development to understand the changing agenda and to refresh the skills and knowledge required for their changing roles. New members need to understand what is expected of them and opportunities to build their knowledge and skills.
The current position with regard to member development and collective activities taking place in Wales to support member development are described in the Member Development Strategy developed by the Association with authorities.
Since the local government elections in June 2004 most new members have taken part in programmes of induction provided by their authority. Authorities have made use of the 8 induction modules produced collaboratively to be appropriate for all new members. Development activities are now taking place to support members further in their knowledge and skills development in areas such as
- their role as members of the top management team
- their development as an executive board
- their effectiveness as a scrutiny committee or cohort of scrutiny chairs
and in thematic areas such as
- corporate parenting
- planning
- community leadership
- mentoring
A Welsh Charter for Member support and development has been developed by the Association and authorities to provide a guide, some impetus and recognition for authorities wishing to provide high standards of support for their members. A member development framework has also been produced collaboratively which helps authorities and members to identify the skills and knowledge required by members which can be useful in assessing member’s development needs and effective means of meeting them.
For more information contact: Sarah Titcombe