This course is available for Members of the Association of Monitoring Officers to attend at a reduced price of £75 + VAT. Email bookings@llg.org.uk to secure your discounted place!
This course will provide an opportunity for MOs and DMOs to reflect on the challenges of dealing with completely new members and members not in traditional parties/independent members and discuss approaches to ensure good governance.
This course is suitable for any colleagues dealing with this political situation or anticipating this challenge following the next election.
The course will help ensure that anyone currently dealing with or anticipating a high number of new members and/or fragmentation of their political make-up feels more confident about dealing with this/planning in advance.
The context for the discussion – the number of new members and the rise of members not in traditional groups and independent members
Your experiences of the challenges this brings
A practitioner’s perspective
Completely new members
Pre-election briefings
Looking at this from a member perspective
What do they need to know quickly?
How do you do develop trust with new members
How best to get key messages across
What not to do in induction programmes
Officers are the answer not the problem!
How do you show completely neutrality and objectivity
Members not from traditional parties/independent members
Political proportionality
Holding the balance of power?
You are now The Council not an activist or campaigner
Dealing with “one issue” members
Group structure and discipline – is this a matter for you?
Fragmentation of the political makeup and the impact on governance – briefings, access to information, seating arrangements etc
Final thoughts and approaches
The course will use a combination of presentation using PowerPoint, group discussion, practitioner’s contribution and mini scenarios, with breakout sessions and scenarios providing opportunities to explore and put learning into practice.
Bethan Evans Governance Training and Consultancy, GOV TC
Beth is a recognised expert in local authority governance and decision-making, having worked in this field for over 40 years. She was an in-house lawyer for nearly 20 years, at four different councils in England (including Bristol City Council, Avon County Council and South Gloucestershire Council). She moved from a practitioner specialising in education, housing, commercial and social care law into management posts, culminating in roles as a County Solicitor and a Director of Corporate Services in a unitary authority.
Beth led the Welsh Local Government Agency responsible for improvement and development in the 22 unitary councils in Wales (and the regional employer) for three years from 1998.
In 2001 Beth moved to a role as a partner with Bevan Brittan LLP, a leading national law firm, where she led the local government team for 17 years, for 4 years of which she was Senior Partner of the firm. The firm has, for many years, been ranked Band One legal advisors for local authorities.
Legal 500 rankings 2017 – UK Local Government Law
Bethan Evans is the “undisputed leader in the field”
In 2016, Beth left her legal role and set up her business as an independent governance trainer and advisor. She is an experienced and highly regarded practitioner in this field. She specialises in member and officer development for local authorities. She has a wealth of practical experience which enables her to bring these insights to her training.
In this capacity, Beth has provided sessions for over 120 councils over the last few years, including county councils, unitaries, London boroughs, combined authorities, districts, and parishes.
Beth works extensively with LLG on their programme of governance related sessions and on training for Monitoring Officers.
Other roles
In addition to her professional business, Beth has held trustee/non-executive roles including:
Chair of the charity Ablaze which seeks to address inequality of opportunity and achievement in young people by bringing businesses and schools together in reading, maths, and mentoring programmes
Non-executive Director of Bristol Energy Limited for 2 years
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09:30 - 12:30
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