In addition to our own briefings and guidance for elected members, many of the organisations we work with also produce information and advice for councillors.
Below, we've gathered some of the resources that we consider useful for elected members and we'll continue to add to this list.
How councils work - Roles and working relationships in councils: are you still getting it right?
Accounts Commission
The report will be a useful tool to support councillors and officers in their complex and evolving role. It aims to help them review their practice and to take any necessary actions to ensure that their council's governance remains fit for purpose.
How councils work - Safeguarding public money: are you getting it right?
Accounts Commission
This report aims to reinforce the importance of councils having effective internal controls to prevent public money being lost to mistakes and fraud. It contains checklists to help councillors effectively scrutinise how councils are managing their risks and key internal controls.
Guidance on the Councillors' Code of Conduct
Standards Commission
The Standards Commission guidance that will help councillors interpret the provisions of the Councillors' Code of Conduct.
Standard presentation to local authorities on the Councillors' Code of Conduct
Standards Commission
An example of the slides used in presentations to local authority elected members and officers.
Advice for Councillors on Arm's Length External Organisations
Standards Commission
This advice note aims to provide councillors with an overview of matters they should consider when they are involved with or have been invited to participate in arm's length external organisations (ALEOs). The advice provided focuses on councillor responsibilities under the ethical standards framework and seeks to assist councillors in recognising and dealing with potential conflicts of interest to minimise risks to governance and accountability arrangements.
Advice Note for Councillors on Distinguishing between their Strategic Role and any Operational Work
Standards Commission
This advice note is aimed at helping elected members to distinguish between their strategic role and any operational work. It also suggests issues that councillors should consider in order for them to ensure they undertake their scrutiny role effectively, while still complying with the provisions regarding relationships with employees and decision-making in the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.
Accessible Housing: A Toolkit for Elected Members in Scotland
Equality and Human Rights Commission
The aim of this toolkit is to support elected members to consider housing for disabled people in their strategies and plans and to promote more meaningful involvement of disabled people. The toolkit splits into four main sections: The Public Sector Equality Duty, planning accessible homes, providing adaptations and accessible housing registers. Further reading and resources can be found in the appendices.
'Rocky Road'
‘Rocky Road’ tells the inside story of how local community activists took over the Community Centre in their ex-mining village, Dalmellington
In this 5-minute film, community activist Sharon Smith and Angela Graham, Senior Estates Surveyor at East Ayrshire Council, take the camera into their own hands, and grill one another about the ups and downs of the process. It’s a revealing conversation and will help elected members to understand the benefits and challenges of co-production.
Learn more about the film and 100 Stories by visiting the Scottish Co-production Network website.
How the work of trading standards contributes to your local community, in particular:
- safeguarding vulnerable people from scams and fraud
- protecting young people's health and welfare by preventing underage sales of harmful products
- helping businesses to grow and thrive through expert advice on regulation.
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Scotland's Councillors 2017-2022
A survey of councillors elected in 2017. It looks at the demographic profile of councillors and questions relating to their role, such as additional employment status, how councillor duties are managed and why they chose to stand for election.
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#FollowMe2: a Social Media Guide for Elected Members
An introduction to what social media is and how councillors can use it for communication. This also contains brief guides to the most popular social media tools.