Top tips for new councillors
Congratulations on becoming a councillor!
Local government touches the lives of everybody, every day, and this is your opportunity to make a difference to your local area.
Councils deal with everything from schools to care of older people, from roads to rubbish, libraries and local planning.
Behind all of this is a web of legislation and bureaucracy that most people do not need to see. As a councillor, understanding how it works will help you to represent your local community.
Being a councillor is a rewarding experience, but it is also challenging work and you will have many separate roles to balance.
Everyone in your community has diverse needs and opinions, and will make different, sometimes conflicting, demands of you.
“Taking elected office is one of the most important civic duties anyone can perform”
Every day, you will be expected to balance the needs of your local area, your residents and voters, community groups, businesses, your political party (if you belong to one) and the council – on top of your personal commitments to family, friends and workplace.
Balancing these competing demands and being effective as a councillor will require you to come to your own conclusions as to what is best and the decisions you feel are necessary.
Taking elected office is one of the most important civic duties anyone can perform. As a newly elected councillor, you hold a unique position and have the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives.
It’s daunting, but you’re not alone. Your council, your political party (if you have one), and the LGA (including its political groups) all provide support for new councillors.
For example, the LGA’s councillor induction e-learning module has been designed to give you the information you need to get started in your new role.
It provides key information about what your role as a councillor involves, and how to work effectively with your local residents and communities.
It also explores some of the issues and challenges facing local government today and includes advice from experienced councillors.
It will provide you with an insight into some of the LGA’s wider work around corporate governance, and with councils on civility in public life and codes of conduct for councillors.
In addition, it introduces you to the work of the LGA and how it can support you as you develop your skills, decision-making abilities and experiences as a councillor.
All newly elected councillors are invited to attend the LGA’s online national welcome event, on 16 July.
Funded by government, it also provides an opportunity to explore the national challenges facing councils, hear top tips from experienced councillors, and attend a breakout session with councillors from the same LGA political group as yourself.
“You hold a unique position and have the potential to make a real difference”
We also have a series of introductory webinars for new councillors, including, ‘Handling online abuse and intimidation for newly elected councillors’ on 20 June, and ‘What about the numbers? Understand them and use storytelling to get your messages across’ on 11 July.
You can book your place on these events and webinars, and on future sessions we have planned on audit, licensing, and scrutiny.
Meanwhile, our councillor hub is the place to find out more about the LGA and its support for newly elected members.
It is also your first port-of-call for learning, leadership and development opportunities that can help you progress your career in local government – and you can read about some of these below.
From newly elected to new leader
The LGA can help you develop your council career
Councillors are unique in their role. They provide local services and local leadership to their communities and our country.
The LGA is here for you, to develop you and your career, and also to open opportunities for you as you lead your council and your communities.
We have a wealth of experience, training and resources that you can tap into, all available via our website.
For newly elected councillors, we have three key resources to support you in your role.
First, our community leadership offer includes face-to-face and distance learning resources, including 27 workbooks on topics such as chairing skills, being an effective ward councillor, councillor-officer relations, scrutiny, and licensing.
Second, we have our new Local Leadership Framework for Councillors, which gives suggestions, prompts and resources to help you develop the skills to be a leader and work with your communities.
Third, we have a bespoke councillor e-learning platform that provides online events and distance learning modules, on subjects such as economic development, facilitation and conflict resolution, licensing and regulation, local government finance, and stress management and personal resilience.
“We have a wealth of experience, training and resources that you can tap into”
If you have particular interests, you can subscribe to our LGA e-bulletins on the policy areas in which you’re interested, from children and young people to workforce.
Do also take a look at Leadership Essentials, our bespoke programmes on key portfolio and service areas, where you can meet and learn from councillors just like you.
And we have ‘Focus on Leadership’ events for black, Asian and ethnic minority councillors, LGBTQ+ councillors, opposition leaders and deputy leaders, and young councillors (those aged under 40).
For disabled councillors and candidates, we run bespoke programmes to increase representation and support your development to become leaders in local government.
As you continue in your role as a councillor, there is the Next Generation programme, which supports and encourages you to be a bold, confident political leader and progress your political career to the next level.
Our Boosting Middle Leaders programme is delivered in collaboration with the Leadership Centre and is an opportunity for officers and members to learn together.
For councillors in senior leadership roles, we have the Leadership Academy – our flagship development programme for senior leaders, recognised by the Institute of Leadership.
We have so many opportunities for you as you progress in your role as a local councillor and community leader.