ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY COUNCILLOR

Workshop Content

SESSIONS FOR ALL

Examining the role of the 21st Century Councillor (University of Birmingham)

Dr Catherine Needham considers the research carried out by the University of Birmingham around the role of the 21st Century Councillor and provides an overview of:

  • Challenges facing councillors
  • Roles of councillors
  • Councillors and their relationships with citizens, officers and place
  • Councillor Profiles
  • Developing Councillor’s Skills

Question Time – Panel

Opportunity for councillors to ask the Panel questions about the councillor role

Local Governance and Decision Making (Bevan Britten)

This session explores the key governance considerations of successful local authority working and considers:

  • Functions, structures and key powers of local authorities
  • Key components of decision making
  • Challenging decisions
  • Role of local authority constitutions
  • Member/officer interface

OPTIONAL WORKSHOPS

Engagement Focus

  1. Understanding Community Leadership (Ann Reeder – Frontline Consulting)
  • Community Leadership – context and features, skills and competencies
  • Effective community engagement – tools and techniques
  • Reviewing best practice in managing case work, consultation, campaigning and communications
  • Balancing the strategic and the local – Councillors as community leaders
  1. Making Connections (Ann Reeder – Frontline Consulting)
  • Understanding your ward or division, mapping the local area
  • Working with stakeholders in the public sector
  • Supporting local businesses
  • Working with community groups and the voluntary sector
  1. Working with Others in a Changing Political Context(Ann Reeder – Frontline Consulting)
  • Local politics and the wider publicly funded sector
  • Role of a Member of Parliament, working with local councillors and councils: legislation affecting our communities, funding, casework, local campaigns, support for residents, businesses and the third sector
  • Working together on devolution, combined authorities and local government reorganisation
  • Working in partnership, including Sustainability and Transformation Plan footprints (NHS and social care), Local Enterprise Partnerships, Police and Crime Panels and Police Force Strategic Alliances and regional collaboration
  • Working through Brexit and its local impact
  • Responding to other public sector reform eg schools, housing development, planning reform

Technology Focus

  1. Community Engagement in Video (Nicky Jackson, Government Communications Service)
  • Digital by default - the changing context and the rise of video
  • Compelling video content: storytelling and real voices
  • Back to basics
  • Editing and effects
  • Evaluation and insight
  1. Great Graphics, Great Campaigns (Nicky Jackson, Government Communications Service)
  • Low-cost / no-cost campaigning
  • Creative content
  • Tools and tips
  • Getting the most out of your content - tagging and tweeting
  1. Using Social Media – the Practicalities (Cllr Rosie Denham, Exeter City Council)
  • What is social media? Why should you use it? What can you use it for?
  • Benefits and disadvantages
  • Choosing your platform
  • Tips on getting started, Dos and don’ts

Page1of2