Tower Hamlets Council is considering implementing stricter rules and enhanced training for newly elected councillors, aiming to improve their skills and ensure they are well-prepared for their roles.

The General Purposes Committee met on Thursday 25 September 2025 to review initial ideas for the Member Induction Plan 2026. The council is using feedback from members and directorates in developing the plan, as well as engaging in discussions in the wider sector to ensure the programme meets with best practice. The plan aims to ensure that new councillors meet statutory requirements, administrative tasks are handled efficiently, and councillors receive the information and skills they need to operate effectively.

The council is developing the Member Induction Plan in line with best practice, incorporating feedback from members and directorates, and engaging in discussions with the wider sector. The plan will target councillors elected in May 2026, and there are also roles for co-opted members to play, including supporting training or attending seminars.

According to the Public Reports Pack, the key criteria for the induction plan are:

  • Ensuring statutory requirements are met quickly.
  • That administrative tasks happen smoothly and efficiently.
  • An effective plan is created to provide Members with the information they need about how the council operates, partnership working, issues to consider.
  • That a skills and development programme is in place to support Members both individually and in their political groups.
  • Introducing Members to any specific roles that they given such as Cabinet Member / Committee Chair.

Feedback from the 2022 induction programme indicated that while members appreciated the spread of training and information seminars, attendance dropped significantly after the summer break. The 2026 plan will aim to complete the main induction programme by the end of July 2026 to avoid this issue. The draft timetable in the Planning the Member Induction Programme for 2026 report also suggests taking a break around the end of May Bank Holiday and half term, acknowledging that newly elected Councillors need a break after the election.

The council also aims to shift the focus from providing information to developing skills relevant to the role, particularly in light of the recent Best Value Inspection report and Continuous Improvement Plan. The 2022 induction program was arguably weaker on developing members' skills, so the new Induction Plan will have a greater emphasis on developing skills relevant to the role.

Initial discussions with the Member Development Steering Group and co-opted members have highlighted the importance of skilled, professional trainers, interactive training methods, and incentives to encourage attendance, such as providing proper food and refreshments. The council will continue to operate on the principle of one daytime and one evening date for each session to help Members balance their conflicting responsibilities.

New initiatives being considered include:

  • 'Be A Councillor' events: Weekend sessions for those standing for election to learn more about the role. These events will have add-on sessions specifically for female candidates and those who have accessibility or disability-related questions. Both sessions will be open to all potential candidates, but at the end of one session there will be an add-on specifically for any female candidates who wish to discuss issues of concern to them, and then the other session will have an add-on dedicated to those who have accessibility or disability-related questions.
  • Political Group Mentoring: Linking the Induction Plan with the new Political Mentoring programme.
  • Individual Member Training Budgets: Personal Development Plan sessions to help councillors create their own development plans.
  • Councillor Development Certificate: A suite of training sessions targeting key skills for councillors, with a 'Development Certificate' awarded upon completion.
  • Providing Directorate and Service Information: Instead of individual service seminars, each directorate will have one evening to introduce all of their services, with more detailed information available through the Members Hub.

The Planning the Member Induction Programme for 2026 report outlines a potential timetable for the first month after the election, including welcome events, administrative tasks, and initial training sessions. Appendix 1 provides a more detailed example of the potential timetable for the first month after the election.

The Standards Advisory Committee and the General Purposes Committee will review the information and provide guidance on the final Induction Plan, which will be presented to both committees for final sign-off nearer the election date.