NALC's Presentation at the Public Sector Learning Conference

Is your training strategy working? The experience of grass roots councils– Neil Evans & Justin Griggs

Overview

So what are local councils? And NALC does what exactly? Our modernisation, improvement

and development agenda Reviewing our National Training

Strategy Key challenges

Local council pop quiz!

1. How many Parish and Town Councils are there?2. What is their annual spend in total?3. Parish councils are run by the local church True or

False?4. How many staff do they employ nationally?5. They can raise their own taxes. True or False?6. You cannot have parish councils in urban areas.

True or False?7. Central government decides where they exist?

True or False?8. Parish councils have no powers enabling them to

deliver actual services? True or false?

Local Council Blankety Blank

As the tier of local government closest to the people, local (blank and blank) councils have been an important part of our community governance since blank

The grassroots of our democracy works tirelessly to blank the local community, providing blank to meet local needs and working to blank the quality of blank and community well being

Around blank people are covered by local councils, the smallest council covering less than blank people, the largest over blank people

blank new local councils have been created in last blank years, mostly in suburban/urban areas and towns

About NALC

Recognised membership and support organisation representing and promoting interests of local councils and their councillors in England

Our key objectives are developing and improving service delivery to member local councils; developing the role of local councils in local government and in our communities; and communicating the message about what we do

Support and advice through a network of county associations, which provide a local support service for member councils. This includes providing guidance and information through training, briefings and newsletters, as well as signposting to other sources of information and support. County associations also represent views of local councils to a wide range of bodies at county and regional level.

Working with county associations and other important partners such as the Society of Local Council Clerks, NALC is actively involved in lobbying the Government and other organisations at a national level to advance and protect the interests of local councils.

2000 - The National Training Strategy (NTS)

The picture - pre 2000 Modernisation and improvement programme Process Drivers Ethos Products Delivery mechanisms Qualifications and career development Successes

But where now…………

2010 - Review of the NTS

• National review group set up

• Scoping phase

• Learning Pool contracted

• Online website set up http://ntshub.org.uk

• Quantitative research - online survey launched

• Qualitative - focus groups

• Evaluation

• Further consultation

• Revised strategy

Draft findings

• Big appetite for e-learning

• Traditional methods and products to compliment

• Evaluation of delivery mechanisms – celebrate diversity

• Revision of qualifications structures

• Improved relationships with principal authorities

• Induction & CPD for councillors to be developed

“I’m a good councillor!”

“Are you……..What things do you do that make you a good councillor?”

• I attend training!• I read the papers!• I run council surgeries!• I attend meetings!• I chair meetings effectively!• I have a good knowledge of procedures!

Source: Warwickshire and West Midland ALC 2010 conference

Attitudes and values

Respect Giving IntegrityEnthusiasm Interest Create changeOpenness Serving Good

judgementFlexible Listening ProfessionalHonesty Diplomacy TrustworthyObjective Motivated Broad mindedPolite Creative InsightfulPrepared Efficiency ResponsibleInformed Understanding AvailableLong term view Positivity Communication

Source: Warwickshire and West Midland ALC 2010 conference

The fluffy stuff…

• Treating our councillors “as people” • Encouraging officers to be more aware are of

their own style and approach• Better use of effective and appropriate language• Consideration culture/background, motivations,

needs, personal values & agendas• Turning negatives into positives - peer pressure

- work with the ones who want to work with you

Positive indicators..

• CilCA• Power of well-being• Quality Parishes Scheme • NTS survey responses• Membership of representative bodies• Institute membership• CPD take up• Bursary scheme• Leadership Academy programme

Key challenges

• Sustainability in uncertain times• Reaching across our networks• Hitting the right buttons• Working with what we have• Getting the right people to deliver• IT - Changing a culture • Councillor engagement and take up• Councillors and councils more effective

Further information

• www.nalc.gov.uk• [email protected]

• [email protected]

• www.lcronline.org.uk • http://ntshub.org.uk