Improvement and innovation bulletin: October 2023

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Improvement and innovation bulletin

October 2023

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Our support


Please complete our sector support survey 2023

As we look towards 2024, we are beginning discussions with Government departments regarding future sector support programmes. Our sector support offer sets out all aspects of the wide range of support we provide. To help ensure that our support continues to meet your needs, please complete our short survey to let us know what aspects of support are of most value to your council or if there are other types of support that your council could benefit from.

Sector support survey

Supporting council improvement – 2022/23 highlights

We have published a review of the programmes that made up our sector support offer in 2022/23 provides a snapshot of the ways we supported councils to improve, develop leadership, make data-informed decisions, share notable practice, and – in so doing – build capacity and capability in local government.

LGA Improvement highlights

Pathways to Planning graduate programme – applications now open

We recently launched our new Pathways to Planning graduate programme for local government planning teams. Graduates who secure a place on the programme will work in a council planning team, complete a fully funded qualification and receive mentoring support. Applications are open until Wednesday 1 November.

Preparations for May 2024 elections

We have established an ongoing Officer Sounding Group on registration, electoral delivery and electoral reform. If you are an electoral administrator, electoral registration officer (ERO) or returning officer (RO) who would like to join the group please email jessica.norman@local.gov.uk. We are currently considering the most recent new burdens methodology and allocations of funds.

One-to-one coaching for disabled councillors

Coaching provides a powerful reflective space for councillors to grow and develop as leaders. Our highly effective coaching programme offers disabled councillors free one-to-one coaching sessions focused on personal leadership development. To find out more, or to book your place, please email leadership@local.gov.uk

Transformation panels

As part of our new Transformation improvement programme, our Transformation panels will provide a safe space where councils can bring their formative transformation plans, or a project that is stalling, in front of a team of transformation experts who will provide constructive challenge and suggest helpful improvements. If you are interested in attending one of these internally focused, facilitated panel sessions then please email us at transformation@local.gov.uk


Events


Handling online abuse and intimidation

Thursday 12 October, 2.00pm–3.30pm | Virtual event (Zoom)

This Government-funded event will provide attendees with an awareness of the steps that can be taken to manage trolls and cyber bullies, including a gentle introduction to the legal framework around social media posts. There will be guidance on how to be safe online generally, as well as tips on how to create a positive online presence.

Election matters – introducing the new digital campaigning imprints regime

Tuesday 17 October, 2.00pm3.30pm | Virtual event (Zoom)

The Elections Act (2022) introduced a new requirement for imprints on digital campaign materials as well as print materials. This session introduces this new requirement and the new Electoral Commission statutory guidance which has just passed through Parliament.

Community-focused transformation (LGA Transformation masterclass)

Wednesday 25 October, 12.00pm–1.45pm | Virtual event (Zoom)

Involving communities in decision-making increases the accountability and effectiveness of service delivery and is a necessity for delivering modern services for local government and the communities they serve. This session will feature a ‘spotlight on’ presentation and a roundtable discussion on how collaborating with residents, staff and communities is essential to transformation and change programmes.

LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2024

Tuesday 2–Thursday 4 July 2024 | Harrogate Convention Centre, King's Road, Harrogate HG1 5LA

Join us in Harrogate for the biggest event in the local government calendar, where we’ll be discussing the latest issues affecting local government. LGA members can now take advantage of an earlybird rate, which ends in December.


Publications


Local Leadership Framework for Councillors – new resources

We have published new Local Leadership Framework for Councillors resources to accompany the Local Leadership Framework for Councillors. These include a downloadable workbook, a template slide pack to enable councils to run workshops, and guidance and examples for councillors to write their own councillor profile.

Local Government Data Maturity Assessment Tool

We have launched a new and improved version of our Local Government Data Maturity Assessment Tool which takes account of updates in the data landscape and feedback from councils. You can use this light-touch tool to:

  • assess your council’s data maturity and find resources to support your data maturity journey
  • give your individual assessment of your local authority's data maturity by answering questions across six themes
  • understand your local authority's data maturity based on your and your colleagues' combined assessments
  • see how your local authority's data maturity differs across departments
  • find resources and support for your data maturity journey.

Councillor workbook on scrutiny

Access our new councillor workbook on scrutiny, which has been designed to provide councillors with insights and information on the 'overview and scrutiny' function of councils to support them in their role as councillor.


Additionally, you might be interested in...


Cyber Unpacked

Cyber Unpacked is the first module of Unpacking Digitalisation – a series of short explainer videos we have developed on cyber security topics, created specifically to support officers and councillors who are digital newcomers. The videos aim to improve understanding of cyber risk and aid decision-making in the long term.


LG Inform and LG Inform Plus


For information on using LG Inform (our free data benchmarking tool) or subscribing to LG Inform Plus (our paid data benchmarking subscription service), please contact us at lginform@local.gov.uk or lginformplus@local.gov.uk


first magazine


first magazine logo

first is the LGA's membership magazine, distributed to around 16,700 councillors and local authority chief executives in England and Wales. Councillors and officers can sign up for the first e-bulletin using their council email addresses and/or access first online to browse LGA news stories, features, good practice case studies and comment pieces, including those from past issues.

For editorial inquiries, please email karen.thornton@local.gov.uk. For advertising, contact Polena Boutwood, Media Sales Executive, email polena.boutwood@cplone.co.uk, phone 01223 378047.


Yours faithfully,

Cllr Abi Brown  

Chairman, LGA Improvement and Innovation Board