Please note, we have moved!

The SMSDN group now has a new collaboration space for members support staff on the IS/IDeA communities site. You need to register on the IS/IDeA communities site and request membership to our new collaboration space in order to see what we're working on.

The Scottish Members’ Services Development Network was established in January 2003. From small beginnings, we now have a membership representing the majority of Scottish Local Authorities, and in Local Government in Scotland Act 2003, the Network formally adopted a constitution.

Initially, our principal objectives were to “provide support to officers within Members’ Services across Scotland” and to “share best practice and avoid duplication of effort”. We recognised that we all shared core challenges in assisting our Elected Members. Our areas of interest included officer/member relationships; induction training/information; introducing new technology; ongoing training and development; scrutiny issues; promotion of best practice to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

Our agreed objectives are to:

• provide support to all Members’ Support Services staff within Scotland’s 32 Local Authorities;

• share information and best practice in relation to Elected Members’ Support;

• be pro-active in arrangements for the training and development of both Elected Members and Members’ Support Services staff;

• facilitate benchmarking amongst Local Authorities;

• act as a vehicle for consultation and review;

• make recommendations in respect of appropriate training/qualifications for Members’ Support Services staff.

The Network’s strength is in its combined expertise.