Introduction to Political Awareness
What is Political Awareness?
‚An awareness of political sensitivities, agendas and other external factors that enables you to operate effectively in a political environment‛
The Roles of a Councillor
REPRESENTATIVES LEADERS
POLITICAL MANAGERS
PARTY POLITICIANS
The Role of a Portfolio Holder
COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
ACCOUNTABILITY
PUBLIC FACE
LEADERSHIP
DEVELOP A VISION CHAMPION FOR SUFFOLK DEFINE STRATEGY
COMMUNICATOR
PRIORITISE
PERFORMANCE MANAGE FORGE PARTNERSHIPS
Any Questions?
Being a Councillor: Scenario 1
As one of the governors, appointed by the LEA, you receive a message from the chairman of your local primary school governing body advising you of the date for an important meeting, one which could affect the future of the school. But this clashes with a scheduled scrutiny committee meeting, at which you are due to speak on a decision that your Group is very unhappy with and has called-in for scrutiny.
Which meeting would you go to and why?
Being a Councillor: Scenario 2
You are the new Portfolio Holder for Environment. Part of your remit is to promote and encourage the council’s green agenda. You have received an invitation from a district councillor (not one of your own party) to attend a public meeting about a proposed wind farm in his ward, which is part of your own division. You know a lot of local people are against the proposal and you yourself campaigned against land-based wind farms before you were elected but the council is really keen on renewable energy. The invitation is for you as local county councillor, not Portfolio Holder but should you go? And if you do, what do you say?
Being a Councillor: Scenario 3
You take a phone call from a constituent, threatening to go to the press because they are dissatisfied with responses from officers to their enquiries and want answers that day. The story relates to child protection issues and is linked to an incident in your division. It’s a complex and emotive issue, with equality/diversity implications, which you are determined to take seriously but which could also lead to a lot of adverse publicity. What do you do?
Being a Councillor: Scenario 4
As well as being a county councillor you are also a district councillor. Whilst lunching in the restaurant you are joined by a colleague, who tells you that a key meeting of the district planning committee, on which you both sit, has been brought forward and now clashes with Full Council. Normally you’d be happy to miss Full Council but the meeting in question is going to debate a key policy and the Group Leader expects a full turnout Which meeting should be your priority?
The Political Interface and working with Councillors
The Political Interface
Political Interface
Officers
Councillors Decisions
Guidance, Advice, Information, Implementation
Working with Councillors
• Formally and informally
• Member/Officer protocol
Working with Councillors
Members’ Code of Conduct: • Not discriminate against any person • Treat others with respect • Not compromise the impartiality of others • Disclose information given in confidence • Prevent access to information • Use position as a councillor to secure an advantage • Declare interests Officers Code of Conduct: • Provide appropriate advice, with impartiality • Use information for personal gain • Serve all elected members • Act in accordance with political neutrality • Maintain professional relationships with elected members • Not be influenced or be seen to be influenced by improper motives
The Political Interface
Cabinet Members
Dialogue Key Influences: Political Priorities Government Policy Resources
Dialogue Key Influences: Political Priorities Local Knowledge Resources
Officers
Dialogue Key Influences: Local Representation
Backbenchers
Working at the Political Interface
•With honesty and discretion
•With regard to political sensitivities •With awareness of needs of councillors
How Can You Support Councillors?
• Prompt
• Accurate • Clear • Thoughtful
• Remember they are politicians in a political environment
• Let them know in advance what’s going on in their area • Corporate Calendar!
Supporting Councillors
‘DEMOCRATIC SERVICES’
Committee Support
Supports council’s
committees and panels
Councillor Support
Generic and
non-political support to all councillors
Research Assistants
and PA
Admin and political support to political groups
Scrutiny Support
Communications
Policy
Any Questions?
Supporting Councillors: Exercise 1
It’s about four months before an election. You are part of the Public Transport Team that has been asked by the Portfolio Holder to undertake a review of rural bus services. A member of the Opposition contacts you and asks for information on subsidised rural bus services. You know the data is incomplete and you also know the council has received a lot of bad publicity on its policies on this matter in the past and is developing a manifesto commitment to make sure services provide value for money.
What do you do?
Supporting Councillors: Exercise 2
A high-profile initiative led by your department has been very successful and the Portfolio Holder has asked you to organise a reception in County Hall to celebrate this and to invite ‘the relevant councillors.’
How would you go about this? Which councillors would you invite and why?
Supporting Councillors: Exercise 3
You are invited for an informal discussion with the Shadow Cabinet in County Hall to discuss the development of a particular policy in an area on which you are an expert. You are the only officer present and are encouraged to speak your mind on the council’s current policy and options for the future. You are also invited to attend a Cabinet Awayday at a plush local hotel to discuss the same policy. You are the only officer invited and your brief is to speak freely on the council’s current policy and options for the future.
What do you do?
Supporting Councillors: Exercise 4
You are covering for someone who provides administrative support for a Policy Development Panel, which is a panel of councillors from all parties that works together to develop policy. The chairman of the panel wants to organise a meeting at short notice and asks you to email the other members. It’s Thursday and the meeting will be held on the coming Monday
What would be the key elements of the email?