2010 Charter Celebration Event

North West Charter for Elected Member Development

At the heart of any local authority dedicated to meeting the needs of its community there is a visible commitment to the continuous learning and development of its councillors as well as its employees. All councillors should be supported to perform their vital, individual and joint roles to an excellent standard in the democratic processes of a modern local government.

Councils that achieve the Charter receive public recognition of their success and are able to share their ‘member development journeys' at an annual celebration event where their development stories are told.

The Charter is a testimony to all the hard work and commitment from councillors and support officers in championing the innovative and far- reaching impact that councillor development has had in authorities across the North West.
 
Charter Celebration 2010
2010 has been a bumper year for Charter assessments and we are extremely delighted to announce all 16 authorities for Level 1, Level 1 Review and Level 2 have been awarded.

On 26 November around 150 senior politicians and officers came together to celebrate the achievements of the successful authorities. In true celebration style the awardees were as innovative showcasing and sharing their journeys as they were with their commitment to member development - we had songs, an ‘on air' radio broadcast, and even a Fire Engine! There was also music from the Marple Hall Swing School Band in Stockport.

All the authorities received their awards on the day and the MJ prize went to Liverpool City Council for Level 1 and Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council for Level 2. 

View the photos and a video from the day in 'Related Documents'

We have also put a compilation DVD together to celebrate the last 10 years of the Charter which many of you may feature in. Copies are available for £20 + VAT from Diana Ravenscroft.

Those awarded in 2010 are as follows:

Level 1
• Cheshire Police Authority
• Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority
• Liverpool City Council
• Merseyside Police Authority
• Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council
• Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council

Level 1 Review
• Burnley Borough Council
• Cumbria County Council
• Hyndburn Borough Council
• Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority
• Salford City Council
• Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
• Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council
 
Level 2
• Lancashire Combined Fire Authority
• Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
• Wyre Borough Council

We have received personal quotes from some of the authorities involved:

I was delighted to have achieved level one of the Member Development Charter. It's often forgotten that elected members work extremely hard and provide valuable input as well as resources to organisations, but they are essentially ‘lay people' and it's important they're properly supported in their roles to be effective. The Member Development Charter provides a framework for organisations such as Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to work to - it's put together through experience of elected members and is testimony to the great work we're doing in this area.

Councillor Paul Shannon, Chair of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority
 

We are delighted to accept the member development charter on behalf of all 75 members of Wigan Council. This award demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting and developing our members in these challenging times, equipping them to provide the highest standards of leadership for our communities, and strengthening local democracy.

Joyce Redfearn, Chief Executive of Wigan Council
 

When a councillor is elected, and whatever the views they hold, it is vital they understand how to get things done for their constituents. Anyone considering standing for election in Wigan in the future can be reassured that they will be fully supported in this most challenging and demanding of roles.

Lord Peter Smith, Leader of Wigan Council

Salford City Council is proud to have successfully completed the Level 1 Charter Review process with the North West Employers organisation. The council was one of the first local authorities to gain the Charter standard for its training and development practises for councillors. Three years later the Charter Review ensures the highest standards are still being maintained at the council. We have a long tradition of member development and are delighted to have successfully completed the Charter Review. The work we have done on the members' e-portal and electronic training needs has helped ensure councillors are able to maximise the use of the technology available to us today.

Councillor John Merry, Leader of Salford City Council

I am delighted that Trafford has achieved the renewal of its North West Charter for Elected Member Development. As a council, and through our cross-party Member Development Steering Group, we are fully committed to the continued growth of our elected members to enable them to fulfil their current role effectively and prepare them to face future challenges and demands. We look forward to building on our success and to progressing to the next stage.

Janet Callender, Chief Executive of Trafford Council