This course is available for Members of the Association of Monitoring Officers to attend at a reduced price of £75 + VAT. Email bookings@llg.org.uk to secure your discounted place!
This course will provide delegates with an opportunity to prepare for a situation of No Overall Control in their council and to consider the reality of operating robust governance arrangements in this setting.
This course is suitable for anyone currently in an MO/DMO role of senior legal/governance position in a council with No Overall Control or contemplating this as an outcome of the next election.
What does No Overall Control look like? The definitions and the options including minority administrations, coalitions, supply and confidence agreements
Where are you now and what is the experience on your council of difference political compositions - your collective experience of political control and change
Mapping potential options – how openly can you prepare?
Taking the temperature of existing and potential member/member and member/officer relationships
Reinforcement of the protocols around political neutrality and respect
How do you show complete neutrality and objectivity
Actions before an election, in the immediate aftermath and following a new administration
Respecting and recognising the personal and emotional impact of change/loss
Practical actions around brokering agreements between groups – do officers have a role?
How do you create a relationship of trust and mutual respect as quickly as possible
Strategies for internal and external comms and intelligence exchange
Governance and constitutional change
The views of a practitioner who has navigated a change in political control to NOC
Scenarios to put things into practice
The course will use a combination of PowerPoint presentation, group discussion, practitioner’s contribution and mini scenarios, with breakout sessions and scenarios providing opportunities to explore and put learning into practice.
The course will leave delegates better prepared to navigate uncertainty, respond constructively to change and maintain effective working relationships whatever the political landscape.
Bethan Evans Governance Training and Consultancy, GOV TC
Beth is a recognised expert in local authority governance and decision-making, having worked in this field for over 40 years. She was an in-house lawyer for nearly 20 years, at four different councils in England (including Bristol City Council, Avon County Council and South Gloucestershire Council). She moved from a practitioner specialising in education, housing, commercial and social care law into management posts, culminating in roles as a County Solicitor and a Director of Corporate Services in a unitary authority.
Beth led the Welsh Local Government Agency responsible for improvement and development in the 22 unitary councils in Wales (and the regional employer) for three years from 1998.
In 2001 Beth moved to a role as a partner with Bevan Brittan LLP, a leading national law firm, where she led the local government team for 17 years, for 4 years of which she was Senior Partner of the firm. The firm has, for many years, been ranked Band One legal advisors for local authorities.
Legal 500 rankings 2017 – UK Local Government Law
Bethan Evans is the “undisputed leader in the field”
In 2016, Beth left her legal role and set up her business as an independent governance trainer and advisor. She is an experienced and highly regarded practitioner in this field. She specialises in member and officer development for local authorities. She has a wealth of practical experience which enables her to bring these insights to her training.
In this capacity, Beth has provided sessions for over 120 councils over the last few years, including county councils, unitaries, London boroughs, combined authorities, districts, and parishes.
Beth works extensively with LLG on their programme of governance related sessions and on training for Monitoring Officers.
Other roles
In addition to her professional business, Beth has held trustee/non-executive roles including:
Chair of the charity Ablaze which seeks to address inequality of opportunity and achievement in young people by bringing businesses and schools together in reading, maths, and mentoring programmes
Non-executive Director of Bristol Energy Limited for 2 years
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09:30 - 12:30
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