Thank you for stepping up on behalf of your community and offering your time, skills and support to the town or village where you live.   A local councillor has a number of duties, roles and responsibilities and has lots of opportunities to make a difference.   We believe all councillors should plan to learn about the different aspects of this important role to complement what you already have to offer.  By fully understanding how a local council works in practice, you will be able to get involved and contribute to the effectiveness of your council and deliver successful outcomes for your community.    

Local councils are structured, resourced and financed based on the needs of their local community, influenced by a number of factors. Our councillor training framework utilises numerous resources and events to help all councils regardless of their size. 

Councillor - first year

What you need to know and why 

Local councils are governed by an important regulatory framework providing powers, duties and obligations.    It is important for new councillors to have the knowledge and understanding to ensure accountability and lawful decision-making.

How to achieve this 

Our suggested year one pathway is designed to allow for a flexible but focussed plan to make the best use of resources that are available.  This includes SALC knowledge, national guidance and publications, training and networking such as the SALC area forums which provides an opportunity to connect with others in the same role.

Pathway

within the
first 3 to 6 
months 
FROM YOUR COUNCIL

What an induction pack might include:

  • Contact details of councillors and the clerk/officers (during their working hours)

  • Core documents, such as  standing orders, financial regulations, the budget, Code of Conduct

  • Details of future meetings and committees (if relevant) and minutes of recent meetings

  • Link to the council website

  • The Good Councillor Guide (available from SALC in electronic format via the member portal)

FROM SALC
 

Below are further activities we suggest could also form part of your first year in office.  It is also our recommendation that all new councillors attend Code of Conduct training and finance for Councillors workshops. 

within
6 to 12 
months 

FURTHER TRAINING 


Consider attending:

  • SALC Code of Conduct workshop 

  • Finance for Councillors workshop (bookable through the member portal by the clerk, fee payable)

  • E-learning (fee payable):                          Introduction to Local Councils                              Understanding precepts                                  Introduction to planning                                                          









DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS


FURTHER READING

Councillor - year two onwards


At this stage you may want to grow your knowledge in specific areas, which may depend on the size of your council and whether, for example, you have been appointed to a specific committee or project.

Options


                    FURTHER TRAINING

                    • Managing information
                      GDPR for councillors workshop                  Freedom of Information workshop

                    • Finance
                      VAT for VAT registered councils
                      VAT partial exemption
                      VAT for unregistered councils
                      Internal Controls
                      Procurement

                    • Leadership
                      Attend Breakthrough Communications course 'Chairing council and public meetings effectively'
                       

                    • Managing people
                      Recruitment
                      Appraisals
                      Policies and procedures
                      Grievance and disciplinary

                    • Safeguarding
                      Available through Community Action Suffolk - link to website

                    • E-learning
                      Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
                      Health and Safety
                      Mental Health
                      Information security
                      Modern slavery
                      Leadership
                      Customer services
                      Anti-money laundering
                      Environmental awareness

                    FURTHER READING - MORE DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS

                    SUFFOLK NETWORKING

                    NATIONAL NETWORKING

                    Find out about a wide range of NALC networks using this link, which include:

                    • climate emergency

                    • coastal communities

                    • LGBT+ councillors

                    • super councillors

                    • women councillors

                    • young councillors

                    COMMUNICATIONS


                    Qualification routes for council employees

                    Community Governance

                    Community Governance explores how individuals and organisations collaborate and make decisions for the betterment of their local community.  This advanced qualification is awarded by De Montfort University (DMU) and prestigious institution awarded Gold under the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).  The qualification offers:

                    • A certificate of Higher Education (Level 4)

                    • Foundation Degree (Level 5)

                    • Honours Degree (Level 6)

                    • MA in Public Leadership (Level 7)   

                    Download a flyer to inform you as a councillor about the benefits for your community of investing in officers.