The Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Framework for Elected Members in Scottish local government was unveiled at a launch event in Edinburgh on Tuesday, September 21 2010.
Developed by the Improvement Service in consultation with local government, the CPD Framework will provide councillors with professional and personal development opportunities and is designed to generate comprehensive, constructive feedback on how they exercise a wide range of critically important political skills.
Cost-effective and innovative, the groundbreaking CPD Framework is unique to Scotland and is designed to help councillors deal with intense pressures and decision-making responsibilities as the local government enters one of the most difficult financial periods in its history.
The CPD Framework has been developed at a cost of just £35 per Scottish councillor to date and provides access to a wide range of development and learning materials including online learning.
As Scottish local government enters a challenging new era, it is more important than ever that a structured arrangement is in place to give councillors the opportunity to develop skills that will enhance their ability to make vital decisions.
This modern method of online delivery substantially reduces training costs by reducing the time and costs incurred in travelling to training events and seminars.
Six councils have already taken part in a hugely successful pilot programme and the CPD Framework is now being rolled out across Scotland.
The CPD Framework is entirely voluntary but councils, and individual councillors, are being encouraged to sign up. By supporting this collaborative framework, training and development costs will be reduced across Scotland and learning material will be shared between councils.
Pat Watters, President of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Chair of the Improvement Service board, welcomed the launch of the CPD Framework.
Councillor Watters said: "We welcome the investment that has been made within Scottish local government to develop cutting-edge training and development supports for Elected Members, to support us as we lead local government through difficult and challenging times".
Colin Mair, Chief Executive of the Improvement Service, said: "We are delighted to launch this innovative CPD Framework, developed in collaboration with colleagues in Scottish local government, which will provide Elected Members with access to a wide range of high-quality and cost-effective learning materials as and when they need them"
About the CPD Framework
- The CPD Framework is based on 14 political skills and is underpinned by 73 behaviours - the way in which councillors display and practise their skills.
- It accommodates different levels of experience and seniority of councillors and can be adapted for implementation to suit the local circumstances that prevail within individual councils.
- One of the most unique elements of the CPD Framework is the presence of the optional, and confidential, 360 degree feedback tool. This allows councillors to have how they exercise their skills reviewed by up to six people - giving an understanding of how their behaviour is perceived by others.
- The Framework will deliver enhanced, more focused and more structured support arrangements for councillors as they lead local government through a period of considerable change.
- It will help develop councillors in their existing role, prepare them for greater responsibilities, help them become more creative in tackling new challenges and provide them with transferable skills which can be utilised in other roles.
- The Framework will also help councillors fulfil their governance roles more effectively, thereby improving local governance and accountability of public services to local communities.
- It will complement existing development and support frameworks already in place in councils.
- The Framework was successfully tested through a pilot project involving two-thirds of councillors across six councils - East Lothian, Falkirk, Fife, Scottish Borders, South Ayrshire and West Dunbartonshire.
More information
For further information on the CPD Framework and details of how to sign up, please contact Sarah Gadsden, Programme Manager on 01506 775570.
Copies of all the presentations given at the launch of the Framework can be downloaded using the links below:
Setting the context of the CPD Framework for Elected Members - Colin Mair, Chief Executive, Improvement Service
The project background and progress to date - Mark McAteer, Director of Governance and Performance Management, Improvement Service
The CPD Framework development programme - Sarah Gadsden, Programme Manager, Improvement Service
Signing up to the CPD Framework - Mark McAteer, Director of Governance and Performance Management, Improvement Service
The CPD Framework online development profile - Sarah Gadsden, Programme Manager, Improvement Service
CPD for elected members - Cllr Bill McIntosh, Leader, South Ayrshire Council
The members' caseload management portal - Hilary Horton, CRM Project Manager, Improvement Service
