Please note that this page describes work that was undertaken by the Improvement Service in relation to the May 2007 local government election. If you require any information about the Improvement Service's current work in this area, please contact Mark McAteer on 01506 775562.
Working in Multi Member Wards
Research into multi-member ward working in Wales, England, Ireland and New Zealand has been published by the Improvement Service. The research explores how multi-member wards operate elsewhere and what the introduction of multi-member wards might mean for the day-to-day work of councillors and officials in Scotland.
Download the full report - Perspectives on Multi-Member Ward working - and a briefing.
2007 Councillor Induction Pack
This pack has been written as an introductory guide for newly elected councillors. It is not intended to be a definitive guide to everything that an elected councillor needs to know. Rather it is intended to act as a starting point for all new councillors and to be used in conjunction with local induction material specific to particular councils.
Download the 2007 Councillor Induction Pack
To accompany the Induction Pack, we have produced a range of workshop materials that councils can use to carry our their own induction workshops. There are materials for four workshops on the following issues:
- Workshop 1 - First days in office and corporate governance (View/download the Workshop 1 materials)
- Workshop 2 - Councillors' roles and responsibilities (View/download the Workshop 2 materials)
- Workshop 3 - The governance of Scotland and policy context (View/download the Workshop 3 materials)
- Workshop 4 - Ethical standards and personal development (View/download the Workshop 4 materials)
The Planning Development Programme has also published an induction pack on planning for elected members. The pack provides a basic introduction to the planning system and to the role and responsibilities of elected members.
The pack is available to download: The Planning System in Scotland: An Induction Pack for Elected Members (PDF)
For more information about this material or the Improvement Service's work to support councillors, please contact Mark McAteer.
Related documents
Other organisations have also produced material about particular issues which they consider it would be useful for councillors to know about:
Shelter: Local authorities and homelessness: an action plan for elected members
SVCO: The Scottish voluntary sector: a brief for new councillors
NHS Health Scotland: How do councillors improve health and community wellbeing?
