Heritage Issues and the Planning System

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Your experience matters: Complete our survey about support for new councillors

Councillors which have been elected (or co-opted) since May 2023 are invited to complete a short survey to share their experiences of the support which was available to them as a new councillor.

Did you become a councillor for the first time from May 2023 onwards?

Recently elected/co-opted councillors have a fresh perspective and insight which is invaluable to DALC.  We understand that stepping into the role of councillor can be both exciting and challenging.  Your experiences, from motivations to unexpected realities, play a crucial role in shaping the support systems for future councillors.  That’s why we’re inviting you to participate in a short survey designed to gather your valuable feedback.

Why your participation matters?

The survey asks pertinent questions about your motivations, the realities you’ve faced, and the support you’ve received in your new role. Your responses will help DALC understand what is working well and what areas need improvement. This feedback loop is essential for enhancing the onboarding process and ensuring that new councillors feel prepared and supported.

Reflecting on your journey

One of the first questions in the survey is about what motivated you to become a councillor. Reflecting on your initial motivations can provide insights into the diverse reasons people choose to serve their communities. This helps in tailoring recruitment strategies to attract a wide range of individuals to become councillors.

Reality checks and support systems

The survey also explores the ‘reality check’ moments you’ve encountered. Sharing these moments can highlight the gaps between expectations and reality, guiding DALC in addressing these discrepancies. Additionally, you will be asked to evaluate how supported you felt transitioning into your role. Options include getting to know the council team, receiving an induction, participating in training sessions, having a mentor, and accessing various resources. By indicating what support was available and which you found most useful, you can help DALC refine its advice to councils in future elections.

Sources of support

Another crucial aspect of the survey is identifying where your support has come from. Whether it’s the Clerk, other councillors, county or district councils, DALC, or NALC, understanding these sources helps in recognising effective support networks. Furthermore, your feedback on what additional support or resources would have been helpful can guide the development of new initiatives.

Sharing tips and overall experience

The survey concludes with an open-ended section where you can share any additional comments about your overall experience and provide top tips for newly elected councillors. This is your chance to impart wisdom and practical advice that can ease the transition for future councillors.

A call to action

Your participation in this survey is not just about sharing your experiences; it’s about contributing to a broader effort to strengthen local governance. By providing your feedback, you’re helping to build a more effective, inclusive, and supportive environment for all councillors.

Please take a few moments to complete the survey and make your voice heard. Your insights are the key to continuous improvement and the success of our local councils, and DALC’s support services.

Share your experience in our survey

Useful Links

Have you seen the new issue of the Good Councillors Guide (2024).  Download your free copy today.

The Good Councillor’s Guide has been updated for 2024

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The Good Councillor’s Guide (2024)

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Introducing our Councillor Development Framework!

We’re introducing our Councillor Development Framework to help all councillors find the support, guidance and training they need on their councillor journey from newly elected to effective community leader.

Our Councillor Development Framework has been developed to help meet the needs of councillors who are looking to find the support, guidance and training they need to be a good councillor. With parish and town councils delivering an increasingly wide range of services and projects, councillors are playing an ever more important role in their communities. The responsibilities of sitting on the council can be daunting with rules, procedures and legislation to understand as well as managing community expectations and your own aspirations. That’s where the framework can support you on your journey from newly elected to effective community leader.

The councillor development framework offers a variety of learning opportunities such as suggested reading, e-learning, webinars and in-person courses to suit every council size and budget, as well as different learning styles and time availability.

Getting started

All councillors bring a wide range of knowledge, skills, and experience to their role. We recommend councils complete a skills audit to help identify the valuable experience within their team – this will help plan for the future, assist with team building, and identify where training may be helpful.

Getting to know the council is just as important as training when you are getting started! We recommend councillors engage in any induction process that is offered, read the council’s policies and procedures, and ask for help from the clerk and/or experienced members when needed.

Download our Councillor Development Framework brochure

Foundation

Key knowledge and a broad understanding is a good starting point for all councillors. The foundation level focuses on:

  • Understanding key roles and responsibilities
  • Knowledge of councils and how they operate
  • Exploring what councils can do in their community
  • Understanding the area you represent

Being a Good Councillor

This is a foundation level course providing an introduction to local councils and being a councillor. It is available as a webinar series, or as a face-to-face course, or through our in-house training.

Code of Conduct

An overview of the rules and expectations that govern councillors, including declaring interests, dispensations and complaints. Available as a webinar, or through our in-house training

E-learning options are also available with courses on:

An introduction to local councils

Standards in public life

Check out our range of e-learning available here.

Recommended Read

The Good Councillor’s Guide, published by the National Association of Local Councils, is essential reading for all councillors providing an introduction to the work of councils and the part you play as a councillor.

The Good Councillor’s Guide 2024

Core

Once foundation knowledge has been attained, councillors can develop their understanding on key aspects of council business. This next stage develops subject knowledge, building a greater understanding of how the council operates. It focuses on:

  • the council’s responsibilities as an employer
  • local council finances
  • engaging in the planning system
  • complying with data protection and information laws

Previous experience may help with some of these topics, but it is important to recognise the difference between local government and other sectors.

Being a Good Employer

An introductory course to support understanding of the council’s role as an employer, and employee rights.

Responding to Planning

Understand the council’s role in the planning system and how best to represent your community’s views

 

Finance for councillors

Gain a greater understanding of local council finance including responsibilities, budgeting, precepts, audit and VAT

Councillors: data protection

Understand how data protection legislation sits within your role as an elected member

 

There are some excellent publications that might help with these topics; try reading:

The Good Councillor’s guide to employment

The Good Councillors Guide to Finance and Transparency 2018

How to respond to planning applications 

Advanced

The advanced stage is for councillors keen to develop specialist/advanced knowledge in certain areas of council business such as employment, finance, and planning. This may be particularly useful for members on council committees where in-depth knowledge would be beneficial to the council.

Example courses

  • Managing employees (appraisals and supervision)
  • When things go wrong (disciplinary and grievances)
  • Budgeting for councillors
  • Internal controls
  • Procurement

With many more available to view on our training and events page.

Leader

For those councillors aspiring to leadership positions, or looking to develop their leadership skills within the community, we have developed courses to enhance your knowledge and skills further.

The leader level focuses on:

  • Chairmanship skills
  • Team leadership
  • Leadership in the community
  • Leading in challenging situations

Example courses

  • Chairing local council meetings
  • Dealing with difficult people and conversations
  • Crisis communications

How to book onto our courses

All of our courses are listed here, with several dates available for some courses. Courses are booked on a first come, first served basis. Reservations for unknown delegates will not be accepted. Councils will be invoiced for delegates near the time the course takes place.

If you cannot find the course you are looking for, please contact us (email communication preferred).

Cancellation policy: cancellations within 48 hours of the course will still be charged for.

 

Download our Councillor Development Framework brochure

Being a Good Councillor Full Course (Exeter)

*New for 2023*

This full day Being a Good Councillor course will help new councillors gain essential knowledge to support them in their role.

Recommended for:

Councillors wanting a comprehensive introduction to the essentials of being a good councillor.

Course Overview:

This face-to-face course will provide the opportunity for councillors to gain essential knowledge and understanding, whilst also meeting other councillors. The course will cover:

  • roles and responsibilities of councils, councillors and the clerk
  • council powers, the duties of the local council and the precept
  • local council meetings and the role councillors have to play
  • the council in the community and how to increase your engagement

This course will be delivered by Elise Callaghan.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

A copy of the Good Councillor’s Guide and all supporting resources will be provided to delegates on the day.

Other sessions available:

 

Being a Good Councillor Full Course (North Devon)

*New for 2023*

This full day Being a Good Councillor course will help new councillors gain essential knowledge to support them in their role.

Recommended for:

Councillors wanting a comprehensive introduction to the essentials of being a good councillor.

Course Overview:

This face-to-face course will provide the opportunity for councillors to gain essential knowledge and understanding, whilst also meeting other councillors. The course will cover:

  • roles and responsibilities of councils, councillors and the clerk
  • council powers, the duties of the local council and the precept
  • local council meetings and the role councillors have to play
  • the council in the community and how to increase your engagement

This course will be delivered by Elise Callaghan.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

A copy of the Good Councillor’s Guide and all supporting resources will be provided to delegates on the day.

Other sessions available:

Being a Good Councillor Full Course (East Devon)

*New for 2023*

This full day Being a Good Councillor course will help new councillors gain essential knowledge to support them in their role.

Recommended for:

Councillors wanting a comprehensive introduction to the essentials of being a good councillor.

Course Overview:

This face-to-face course will provide the opportunity for councillors to gain essential knowledge and understanding, whilst also meeting other councillors. The course will cover:

  • roles and responsibilities of councils, councillors and the clerk
  • council powers, the duties of the local council and the precept
  • local council meetings and the role councillors have to play
  • the council in the community and how to increase your engagement

This course will be delivered by Elise Callaghan.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

A copy of the Good Councillor’s Guide and all supporting resources will be provided to delegates on the day.

Other sessions available:

Being a Good Councillor Full Course (Mid Devon)

*New for 2023*

This full day Being a Good Councillor course will help new councillors gain essential knowledge to support them in their role.

Recommended for:

Councillors wanting a comprehensive introduction to the essentials of being a good councillor.

Course Overview:

This face-to-face course will provide the opportunity for councillors to gain essential knowledge and understanding, whilst also meeting other councillors. The course will cover:

  • roles and responsibilities of councils, councillors and the clerk
  • council powers, the duties of the local council and the precept
  • local council meetings and the role councillors have to play
  • the council in the community and how to increase your engagement

This course will be delivered by Elise Callaghan.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

A copy of the Good Councillor’s Guide and all supporting resources will be provided to delegates on the day.

Other sessions available:

Being a Good Councillor Full Course (West Devon)

*New for 2023*

This full day Being a Good Councillor course will help new councillors gain essential knowledge to support them in their role.

Recommended for:

Councillors wanting a comprehensive introduction to the essentials of being a good councillor.

Course Overview:

This face-to-face course will provide the opportunity for councillors to gain essential knowledge and understanding, whilst also meeting other councillors. The course will cover:

  • roles and responsibilities of councils, councillors and the clerk
  • council powers, the duties of the local council and the precept
  • local council meetings and the role councillors have to play
  • the council in the community and how to increase your engagement

This course will be delivered by Elise Callaghan.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

A copy of the Good Councillor’s Guide and all supporting resources will be provided to delegates on the day.

Other sessions available: