21stCC Hackney

‘ Hackney’s 21 st Century Councillor Project Robin Hewings 'Trust in Democracy' Conference March 5th 2010

21 st Century Councillors

The 21 st Century Councillor Project in Hackney

How frontline councillors help improve Hackney

T he ideal bridge This shows it is right to focus on support for councillors as local leaders, communicating with residents and scrutinising services. Engagement works best when people have: Councillors meet these criteria as they: .. resources and knowledge engage the articulate while seeking out less assertive residents
.. a sense of attachment
represent the smallest unit of government organisation
.. been mobilised
proactively communicate and use local knowledge to engage flexibly
.. evidence of making an impact
are accountable politicians, able to make their voices heard.

Local leaders: A respected and well-known person in their community who can advocate for their residents, mediate issues and build coalitions for change

Member-officer relations

Recommendations

Communicating with communities In regular contact with residents in a genuine two-way conversation

Communicating with their communities

Formal engagement mechanisms

Recommendations

Support for front-line councillors

Scrutinising public services Able to make a difference in their local area as a result of their unique mandate and using their powers and influence to help their residents with other services such as the police and the NHS.

Effective in scrutinising council and other public services Interviews with members found We will be
real examples of the formal scrutiny function adding value
Publicising and learning from successes Short enquiries on concrete issues engage the public best Keeping space for in schedules for this type of enquiry
Understanding how to get results is difficult.
Running a flexible and interactive induction

For more information
Contact:
Robin Hewings – Policy Adviser
[email_address] and 07960 170 242
Joanna Sumner - Assistant Chief Executive
[email_address]

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21stCC Hackney

by Bridget Harris on Mar 09, 2010

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21stCC Hackney — Presentation Transcript