Newham Council is set to significantly enhance its councillor training with a comprehensive new induction and development programme for 2026/27, aiming to strengthen governance and improve the consistency of practice for the benefit of residents.
The initiative, developed following an LGA Corporate Peer Challenge and a Non-Statutory Best Value Notice, is designed to equip new councillors with essential skills and support returning members in mentoring their colleagues. The programme aims to strengthen governance, improving consistency of practice and supporting Members to deliver the best possible outcomes for residents.
A key objective is to achieve LGA Member Development Charter status by 2027. The criteria for this status include a clear commitment to councillor development, a strategic approach to development, and ensuring learning and development effectively builds councillor capacity. The council will use the Member Development Charter as a benchmark to evaluate the programme's success.
Key features of the programme include Personal Development Plans, a blend of internal and external training, and mandatory sessions for Cabinet Members and those on statutory committees. To maximise attendance and accommodate varying schedules, the council will offer repeats of sessions where officer availability permits. The programme also adopts a behaviourally informed model of compliance
and is designed to be adaptable, evolving around how members actually work rather than relying on prescriptive training.
The programme will cover a wide array of topics throughout the year, including safeguarding, data protection, council finances, working with residents and officers, communications and social media, climate emergency, and public health. Some sessions are designated as mandatory, while others are encouraged.
An online Members' portal is slated for introduction in the 2026/27 programme. This portal will provide continuous development resources and will be used during onboarding. Video recordings of training sessions will also be uploaded to the portal for ongoing access.
The effectiveness of the training will be rigorously evaluated. Each session will be followed by an anonymous evaluation questionnaire to gauge quality and identify areas for improvement. Councillors will also have the opportunity for confidential meetings with the Democratic Services team to provide feedback and discuss any concerns or needs for further support. Furthermore, members can meet as a cohort, without officers present, to discuss the programme's strengths and weaknesses, submitting feedback informally or in person to the Head of Democratic Services and Programme Manager.
Upon conclusion of the programme, Member Engagement workshops will be held across three separate sessions to accommodate schedules and facilitate small group discussions. Members unable to attend these workshops will be asked to provide year-end feedback via a questionnaire. This comprehensive feedback mechanism aims to ensure the programme continuously evolves to meet the needs of councillors.
The initiative stems from Member feedback on the limitations of previous induction cycles
and addresses areas identified by the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge and the subsequent Non-Statutory Best Value Notice. The programme embeds a culture of shared responsibility for standards, accountability, and continuous improvement, ensuring that learning directly enhances councillors' ability to discharge their duties effectively.
