Future Local Lab
Local Government Explained
Local Elections England: 2026
Working productively with councillors is vitally important for local government staff and officers, but it can prove challenging and be a complex relationship. This session will explore the roles of staff and members and how they interact. It is a chance to learn new techniques for moving forward in your working relationships with councillors and delivering more effective outcomes for residents and the council.
Key outcomes
- Understand the different roles of officers and councillors — and the challenges the relationship can have.
- Learn the two components for working effectively with elected members.
- Build a foundation of awareness and leave with helpful strategies for moving forward and building strong and effective relationships with councillors.
Who should attend
Local government staff who have significant interaction with elected members or who want to develop their understanding of the complexity and subtlety of the relationship. Managers new to local government who need to develop an understanding of this aspect of how councils work will find it particularly useful.
Programme
Welcome and introduction – workshop and individual goals.
Building a foundation of awareness: how much do you know?
Differentiating the roles of politician and manager:
understand how this is changing
what policymakers need from officers.
Frustrations and tensions
building relationships and trust.
The dimensions of political sensitivity: where do you stand?
Communication skills in a political setting: the importance of boundaries as a foundation for assertive communication.
Confidentiality and openness, dealing with the dichotomy.
Personal and organisational actions.
Trainer
Mr. Keith Crampton
LGIU Trainer
Keith Crampton is an experienced trainer, coach and facilitator specialising in Local Government but with experience in private sector organisations as well as charities. He brings an enthusiastic and engaging approach coupled with a focus on achieving real improvements in individual and organisational performance.
My manager recommended I attend this session and it was a lovely, interactive time! Our group had such a good atmosphere and the discussions were highly informative. I appreciated how organised our trainer was and thank you for putting it on.
– Marsha, from Aberdeen Training - Working with Councillors
