Working with councillors Thu, 5 Nov

Working productively with councillors is essential for local government staff and officers, but the relationship can be complex and challenging to navigate at times. This session explores the distinct yet overlapping roles of staff and elected members, as well as the political environment in which they both operate. 

Drawing on established frameworks and real-world scenarios, it develops the two core skills that underpin effective member-officer relationships: political awareness and the ability to communicate and interact with integrity.

Key outcomes

• Understand the roles of officers and councillors – and the challenges that can arise.
• Learn the components for working effectively with elected members.
• Build political awareness and leave with practical strategies for communicating and working effectively with councillors.

During this session we will cover:

• The respective roles of officers and councillors – and where the boundaries blur in practice.
• What political awareness means in a local government context, and how to develop it.
• How to read the political environment, including what's happening behind the scenes.
• Communication and influencing skills for working in a political setting.
• How to handle requests from councillors with confidence and professionalism.
• Managing the pressures and dilemmas that can arise in member-officer relationships.

Who should attend

Local government staff who have significant interaction with elected members or who want to develop their understanding of the complexity of the relationship. It is ideal for those new to local government or moving into roles with greater member-facing responsibilities.