Civic work diplomas mooted
- Published: 25 June 2008 11:41
- Author: Dan Drillsma-Milgrom
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- Last Updated: 28 July 2008 13:10
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Councillors could be offered a diploma scheme to recognise the quality of their civic work.
With an LGC/ComRes poll showing that more are trained in dealing with the media than in financial management or community engagement, Ms Blears said she was contemplating a "voluntary system of councillors' accreditation".
The activities councillors undertake would be translated into credits which "would build up".
Such a proposal, a key recommendation from last December's Councillors Commission, could also allow members to undertake more formal course-based qualifications.
The Department for Communities & Local Government will give its response to the commission's findings alongside the white paper due early next month.
"There needs to be more training that covers the role councillors are expected to perform," said commission chair Dame Jane Roberts. "To say 'I've been a councillor for x number of decades and I know it all' shouldn't be acceptable."
The commission also called for state funding of political parties to recruit and train candidates. However, the idea appears to have been scuppered after it was not included in the Ministry of Justice's white paper on party funding.
Joe Simpson, director of politics and partnerships at the Leadership Centre for Local Government, which runs training courses for councillors, said LGC's survey showed more elected members were being trained than several years ago. "We are now at the tipping point where you are the exception if you don't take training," he added.
