Tower Hamlets councillors are set to benefit from an enhanced induction and training programme designed to equip them for their roles, particularly in the lead-up to the May 2026 local elections. The programme, which has a dedicated annual budget of £60,000, aims to familiarise both new and returning councillors with the council's operations and priorities, including its key priorities and challenges, and its Continuous Improvement Plans.
The comprehensive plan, detailed in a report considered by the Standards Advisory Committee, includes administrative tasks, a structured training schedule, and seminars. Developed with input from the Local Government Association (LGA) and other London authorities, the induction process features pre-election communication, a welcome brochure, administrative registration, and a welcome evening to meet senior officers.
The training itself will run from May to July, covering a wide array of topics. Specific operational areas include an 'Introduction to local authority decision making and the role of Members', 'Handling Casework', 'Local Authority Finance', and 'Communications and Social Media'.
Key elements of the induction include mandatory training sessions. The 'political culture and ethics' training sessions will cover 'political culture and personal development', alongside 'Ethics and Probity' training, which includes guidance on member/officer relations. The Member Pledge will also form a core part of the Ethics and Probity training. The Member Pledge is part of the Council's Continuous Improvement Plan and is designed to improve behaviours and relationships. While still in development with a working group discussing a process for handling breaches, its core tenets are framed as guiding principles to promote trust and mutual understanding.
The programme also addresses the increasing demands of the role, including the challenges of social media and the need for stress management and mental well-being support. Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, highlighted the importance of addressing the mental health and well-being of councillors, noting the pressures of the role and the potential for online abuse. To support councillors facing these challenges, the training program includes a session on 'Communications and Social Media'. Furthermore, the council will offer members a council mobile phone or SIM card to avoid using personal numbers for council matters if they prefer, and members can also request a personal alarm.
Matthew Mannion, Head of Democratic Services, presented the Member Learning and Development Strategy, which outlines the council's approach to supporting elected members. The strategy, updated for the new electoral cycle, aims to ensure learning and development opportunities are inclusive and accessible. To accommodate members' diverse commitments and needs, most sessions will be scheduled twice (one daytime/one evening). Presentations from training sessions will be added to the Members Hub for future reference. The strategy explicitly states it will consider 'accessibility, avoidance of cultural and religious events, the individual needs of Members and other identified matters', and will 'look to avoid scheduling training sessions which clash with major religious and cultural events and holidays'. For in-person training, the council will 'by default... look to... Encourage Members to highlight any relevant accessibility issues they may have' and 'Only use buildings and rooms that are fully accessible to those with mobility issues'.
The effectiveness of the induction program will be measured by seeking feedback and holding feedback sessions with members after the program runs. This feedback will be reported back to the committee, and the strategy can be adjusted if necessary. The Standards Advisory Committee plays a key role in overseeing these initiatives, ensuring high standards of conduct are maintained.
