The LGA offers seminars and events to help councillors build valuable networks with their peers, including dedicated sessions for women, ethnic minority and younger elected members.
The annual black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) ‘weekender’ Leadership Programme for elected members continues to be one of the longest-running and most successful events in the LGA’s calendar.
Established in 2004, the programme offers a unique learning and networking opportunity for councillors from BAME backgrounds who are committed to developing their leadership effectiveness and careers (see below).
Helping councillors in their existing roles and providing a bridge to more senior leadership positions are key aims of all the LGA’s leadership programmes. This is particularly important in seeking to ensure a better representation of BAME councillors at more influential and senior levels nationally.
The next BAME weekender takes place from 27-28 February. The two days incorporate ‘leading-edge’ learning interventions and debates facilitated by excellent speakers with significant experience in the leadership field.
There will be conceptual and practical explorations of the notion of ‘leadership’ across a range of fronts, but with a particular focus on preparing participants for leading roles in communities and councils.
All of this is contextualised by exploring the challenges and opportunities faced by councillors from BAME backgrounds.
More than 365 councillors have attended BAME weekenders so far, with some going on to become committee chairs, mayors, cabinet members, deputy leaders, leaders and MPs.
There has been significant support and recognition of the impact of the programme from national leaders across the political spectrum, including from Lord Simon Woolley, Director of Operation Black Vote.
‘World-class’ training
Councillor Bisi Osundeko (Lab) was elected to St Helens Borough Council in May 2019 and attended the LGA’s 2020 BAME weekender event at Scarman House, Warwick Conferences.
From the moment I first received an email from Grace Collins, LGA Leadership Adviser, to the moment I arrived at Scarman House, it was such a positive experience.
As you enter the reception area of Scarman House, you get the impression that the next couple of days will be serious business. Well done to the LGA for choosing such a fantastic and exquisite venue for their BAME leadership training.
On Friday, we had a reception dinner, where we all had a chance to meet other participants.
The first thing you notice about the councillors is the diversity of our political affiliations. The four major political parties were represented, and we had some Independent councillors as well.
I enjoyed the networking opportunity and I had the chance to pick up some best practice ideas from chatting with other councillors. All the councillors were very friendly, and from every corner of the room you could see people smiling.
The entire atmosphere was filled with such supportive, positive vibes. I exchanged contacts with most of the participants and I can tell that I have made some good friends for life.
Over the weekend, we took part in a range of sessions, including a presentation on ‘What is leadership, what’s important in relation to BAME elected members?’; an interactive session, ‘Personal leadership, understanding leadership styles and the relevance to you and your context’; a ‘question time’ panel session with senior councillors; other sessions on ‘Politics, power and maintaining your identity in political relationships’ and ‘Is perception more powerful than reality?’; and then a choice of workshops.
It was high-impact training and very loaded, but don’t let it scare you. Sessions were interactive, fun and world-class – equivalent to the quality of training that chief executives receive.
The trainers were fabulous and most of them got many (if not all) of us very emotional: it isn’t every day you sit in a training event with fellow councillors pouring out their hearts in such an honest, vulnerable way.
The LGA training beautifully surprised my expectations and I’m determined to use the knowledge and ideas that I gained to improve the quality of my work as a councillor. Hopefully, this will improve the standard of living of our residents in St Helens.