Alvechurch Parish Council

On expressing an interest in joining the council:
Prospective councillors should first contact the Parish Clerk to the council confirming that he/she is interested in joining the Council or filling the vacancy. The Parish Clerk will ask the prospective Councillor to answer some qualifying/disqualifying questions. (see the Policy on The Eligibility of a Councillor procedure).

On joining the council by Election or Co-option:
All new Councillors will be given a Policy Information Pack, containing copies of the following documents:

1. Council’s current Standing Orders and Financial Regulations & Remit of Committee Document, Statement of Internal Control Policy and a copy of the ‘approved’ Budget and most recent Monthly Payment Schedule
2. Member/Officer Relations Protocol & Scheme of Delegation
3. The Parish Council’s Code of Conduct, Confidentiality Agreement and Dispensation advice/guidance
4. Complaint Procedure
5. List of Annual Processes, Civic Event Listing, Flag Flying Dates, Councillor Surgery and In-house Audit Roster, the Council’s Action Plan and Strategic 5 year Plan
6. Copy of the Community Emergency Plan.
7. An index of all current Policies and Procedures (electronic copy supplied via USB stick)
8. A copy of The Good Councillors Guide & Guide to Good Employment Practice
9. The Essential Trustee Guidance & Trust governing documentation
10. A timetable of all the scheduled Council and Trust meetings for the year

Background
Councillors are from a range of diverse backgrounds and bring different and valuable skills to the role. Despite this, few new Councillors have extensive knowledge of the system of local government, how a council works or the full range of their roles and responsibilities.

From their first council meeting Councillors will be required to make important decisions on behalf of their communities and take responsibility for those decisions. Those decisions often involve significant use of public money, assets or natural resources. It is important that Councillors have, or may quickly attain, a clear understanding of the system of local government, how their council works and the full range of their roles and responsibilities. It is equally important that all councillors have ongoing opportunities to undertake appropriate skills development and training in areas needed to assist them to carry out their role effectively.

Training courses:
Many of the recommended training courses are run by the Worcestershire Association of Local Councils. The Parish Council will pay for any training involved/required.

The following training is required for new councillors:

1. Essential Councillor Training (Councillor Fundamentals) – This must be completed within 6 months of attaining office.
2. General Power Of Competence Training (as appropriate)
3. Any Councillor training, such as provided by WALC (see WALC Circulars sent via email by the Clerk for future training courses)

Further development:

1. Chairmanship Training (as applicable and with 2 months of post appointment)
2. Planning Training
3. Finance Training
4. Refresher courses for all councillors where appropriate.

Other sources of support:

1. Working closely with another councillor acting as a mentor for at least the first six months of office
2. Reading through council agendas and minutes of meetings and asking members of staff for an explanation or clarification of the various terms used
3. Reading the various council sector publications that the council subscribes to

Notification of Training Opportunities to Councillors

Any training or educational opportunities for Councillors will be notified to councillors by email or via the WALC circular. If a Councillor wishes to attend a certain training course they are to let the Parish Clerk know as soon as possible in order that a place may be booked.

If a Councillor is booked onto training that the council is paying for, the member is required to attend or will be expected to cover the respective cost (as per the council non-attendance policy)