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Do your Councillors have the skills needed to rise to the challenge?

Many Councillors would be willing to take up a more senior position – Portfolio Holder or Committee Chair, but are uncertain about what it entails or indeed if they have the skills to rise to the challenge.

This workshop is designed to help Senior Councillors hone their skills on Advocacy and Public Engagement.

The aim is to develop the rising stars within local government, empowering them with the skills needed to become better Portfolio Holders, Chairs and Cabinet Members.

We cover:

• The role of a Senior Councillor
• Being a Portfolio Holder, what it entails
• Rising to the challenge
• Being an expert in your field
• Being the “media pundit” and spokesperson
• Protecting and enhancing the reputation of the council
• Practical Exercises on Public Engagement

This training course will help you:

• Present well to the Public.
• Understand the role of Portfolio Holders
• Develop the skills needed to rise to the challenge
• Hone those key messages which will most effectively promote your portfolio and your council.
• Enhance practical skills in communication – using real life Member / Public role-play interviews – which will be filmed on camera and played back to the group for feedback and improvement.
• Handle difficult questions – from members of the public, on the doorstep or at public meetings.
• Use enhanced communication skills to get the best out of every public interaction.

Confidence is built in a safe environment tackling difficult local issues (that impact on national issues) which the public are most concerned about such as:

• Jobs and unemployment
• The local economy and the recession
• Crime and anti-social behaviour
• Housing – social housing and/or plans to create thousands of new homes in your area
• Recycling and waste collection
• Litter and graffiti
• Your local environment – parks, green spaces, or lack of them.
• Roads and traffic (for County Councils, Unitaries and London Boroughs)
• Schools and Education
• Social and Children’s Services

The ultimate aim is to enhance Advocacy and Public Engagement skills of Senior Councillors.