Are councils ready for a change of control?

How have the Local Government Elections impacted councils?

Of the 98 council areas where voting took place on 2 May, 16 have been affected by a change of control and six of them now have no one party in overall control. The changes are significant for those affected, and these councils have had to move quickly to support the introduction of new councillors.

The number of independent candidates elected in this election has also increased. If these individuals have never been elected before, councils could find there are gaps in their planned induction training that will need to be addressed.

How can councils adapt to the changes?

To help incoming councillors acclimatise to their new roles as quickly as possible, senior officers must ensure that induction processes are implemented quickly and efficiently, and they should also be tailored to the specific needs of those newly elected. For councils that have undergone a change of control, leaders may also need to assess the potential impact this could have on their operations from a procedural and constitutional perspective.

Decision-making processes may need to change to accommodate more members, and in a few months’ time, a governance review may be required to assess whether decisions should be made by committee or under a hybrid cabinet model in the future to involve more members in the decision making process.. Members will drive these changes, but officers will also need to understand them so they can adjust to new ways of working.

Officers should take time to explain how the Council operates to newly elected councillors – this is particularly important for those with no prior experience of such roles. Whilst new councillors are often eager to get to work immediately, it is important they understand the boundaries that exist between officers and members and that they take these into account when establishing internal relationships.  If boundaries are overstepped and issues arise in the first 100 days, trust can break down and the organisation’s culture could suffer as a result.

For all councils that have experienced some change, focusing on soft management and communication skills training can be invaluable, and help to embed the organisation’s culture for the next term. For instance, councils may underestimate the impact the election can have on officers who may have worked on a specific initiative for several years, only for it to be changed or lose momentum due to a change in political direction. Although most officers accept that such changes are an inevitable part of working in local government, councillors who show understanding and acknowledge the impact of any changes they are introducing will be more successful at building relationships based on trust and mutual respect.

Key takeaways

Regardless of the outcome of the forthcoming general election, the council areas affected by the Local Government Elections have a challenging period ahead of them. Here are some key considerations to help them adapt to changes quickly and efficiently:

• Assess the Council’s induction training package. Did it meet the needs of new members?
• Consider the operational impact of any changes.
• Do decision-making processes need to change – for example, if the Council no longer has one party in control?
• Is a wider review of governance and constitutional procedures required?
• Consider the impact of any changes on officers and introduce soft management and communication skills training as required.
• Are members showing enough support for officers and ensuring that they understand their differing roles or could a them and us culture start to develop? 

For more information, contact Claire Ward.

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