LGA issues workbook for councillors on effective opposition
The Local Government Association has published a councillor’s workbook on effective opposition in local government.
The LGA said the workbook, developed with Dr Stephanie Snape of the New Leadership Foundation, has three objectives, namely to:
- highlight the important roles that opposition groups and councillors play in ensuring good governance and effective local government working.
- identify approaches which will help opposition councillors and groups to increase their effectiveness.
- provide practical ideas, tips and guidance to opposition councillors and groups.
The workbook, which can be viewed here, covers:
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Effective opposition: Background
- Roles for opposition group/s
- Diversity in opposition groups: Shaping local approaches
- The ten components of effective opposition
- Opposition strategies: The opposition continuum
- Opposition platforms
- Support from councils for opposition groups
- Small can be mighty: Small opposition groups
- Opposition to power
- From control to opposition
- Opposition in No Overall Control councils
- Overview and scrutiny and the opposition
- Skills for opposition councillors and groups
- Two appendices containing reflection exercise
The LGA said the workbook had been designed as a distance learning aid for local councillors. “It is intended to provide councillors with insight and assistance with the key skills which will help you to be most effective in your role.”
