Scribefest 2023 Guest Speaker Sally Diaz, Clerk & RFO

1. How to unite a
divided Council

2. Councillors
• Get to know each Councillor-what’s important to them, and obstacles they think
are in the way. Set up a Council whatsapp group.
• Make them feel appreciated-they volunteer and spend time for very little
appreciation.
• Do an informal brainstormer session, keep it informal, take wine and snacks so
it’s a sociable event. Draw on the strengths of each Cllr and split them up so
they are out of their comfort groups and mixing with Cllr’s they are unfamiliar
with.
• Depending on the Councils plans for the parish, create working groups to come
back for a second session so they work together and report back. Split into 2
groups if a smaller Council.

3. • Collate their findings and highlight what they can achieve by
working together, reiterate their skills and what they bring to the
table.
• Try to separate committee members and mix them up where clicks
are formed. Ask experienced Cllrs to buddy up with new ones.
• Reaffirm the work done to date and what can be achieved in the
future. Make meetings human, so it is not stuffy and boring, be
yourself.
• Those who don’t want change tend to move on!