Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Lewisham Local Assemblies
Chair training and supportModule One
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Agenda
6.30pm Welcome and objectives 6.45pm Information on assemblies 7.00pm Wiki collaborative space 7.20pm Clarify the role of the chair 7.40pm Exercise identifying personal styles 8.00pm Chairing with confidence 8.20pm Dealing with conflict 8.50pm Practical techniques to deal with
conflict 9.10pm Action planning 9.20pm Summary and conclusion
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Elements of the Assembly Support Package
Role of the Assembly Chair May
Equalities June/July
Community Cohesion Sept/Oct
Innovative engagement Nov/Dec
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Assemblies – the context
• Lewisham changing how it involves citizens in decision making
• Assemblies emerged from Mayor’s Empowering Communities and Neighbourhoods Commission
• Assemblies replace area forums
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Purpose
• Universal Lewisham approach
• Building on existing structures
• Encourage active citizenship, articulation of local issues, and improved service delivery and accountability
• Strong focal point for engaging with Council
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Contributes to the Lewisham Way
• Customer Focus
• Improving Performance
• One Council
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Programme part of skills role map
Delivering• Regulating and monitoring• Managing self• Managing performance• Political understanding
Connecting• Communication skills• Community leadership• Partnership working • Influence• Excellence in leadership
Creating• Scrutiny and challenge• Providing vision
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Depth Interview feedback
• Views on Assemblies• Views on Chairing • Views on Conflict Resolution
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Views on Assemblies
• Will bring groups together • Involve new people• Much better than the old forums• Need to deliver to keep momentum• Communicate via, websites, lewisham life,
street letters, local newspapers• Issues will be parking, speeding, planning,
crime.
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Views on Chairing
• Assemblies will be manageable • Planning will be important • A disciplined approach• Facilitation skills will be needed due to size• A mixture of fairness, authority, calmness
and ability to listen required
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Views on Conflict
• Most of you thought there would be little or average conflict
• Best to isolate conflict and deal with at a later stage
• Be well prepared • Ensure people have the correct level of
expectation • Be positive and inclusive.
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Assembly structure – four elements
1. Lead structure
2. Coordinating Group
3. Meetings
4. Charter
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
1 Lead Structure
• Assemblies led by councillors
• Supported by six coordinators day to day organisation
• Co-ordinators report to Local Assemblies Programme Manager.
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
2 Co-ordinating Group
• Helps plan and structure meetings
• Should include one councillor, one resident, and one representative from the third sector
• Not an executive function but facilitating and co-ordinating one
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
3 Meetings
• Open to anyone living or working in ward
• Establish agreed local priorities description
• Develop proposals in response to priorities
• Determine use of locality fund (£10k)
• Additionally develop proposals for funding from Council or other bodies
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
First Meeting
Agreed and common format7.30-7.35 Welcome, introduction & format for
evening (Chair)7.35-7.40 Assemblies a new way of working (Local
Assemblies Programme Manager, Paul Jackson, Assembly Coordinator
7.40-8.40 Workshop (Micah Gold)8.40-9.00 Break9.00-9.20 Feedback from tables (Micah Gold) &
Next steps (Chair)9.20-9.30 Interim Coordinating Group & Closing
address(Chair)
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Workshops at first meeting
1. What’s it like living, working and playing in (your Ward)?
2. How can we make things better?
3. Who can make this happen?
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
4 Assembly Charter
• Voluntary agreement between assemblies and Council
• Place to record priorities and actions
• Reminder of expected standards
• Assemblies to adopt as a starting point
• Charter can be adapted to include proposals identified by assembly
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Implementation
1. Overview of Implementation
2. Ongoing work programme
3. Influencing decision making in the longer term
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
1 Overview of Implementation
• Local priorities fed into Council’s business planning and budget setting
• Initial priorities to focus on local issues• Top five priorities by the end of the second
meeting • Identify response to each issue• Responses detail focus of each Assembly
and structure for work programme
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
2 Ongoing Work Programme
• Develop and support locally-based proposals that can deliver positive outcomes
• Each assembly able to adapt their Charter to reflect agreements with Council and other bodies
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
3 Influencing decision-making in the longer term
• Informal mechanisms such as liaising with council officers
• Formal ones such as putting forward evidence to Council committees
• Able to put items on the Council agenda
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Timetable
• Assemblies been rolling out since Jan ’08
• Sydenham, Grove Park and Whitefoot
• Every Assembly will have met at least once by the end of July
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Timetable
Time Frame Meeting Meeting to cover
March – July 08
1 •First round Assembly meetings•Assemblies begin to explore, likes, dislikes and possible solutions for their area•Identify any quick wins for their area•Identify coordination group•Introduction to Locality Fund for 2008/09•Consultation activity to inform prioritisation
Sep – Dec 08 2 •Round 2 Assembly meetings•Identify priorities for the ward •Start to develop actions around these•Agree basis for ongoing work programme/timing + approach to future meetings•Begin charter development
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Wiki collaborative space
• Demonstration
• Q &A
• Discussion of possible application and use
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Role of chair at first meeting
• Lead first meeting with professional facilitator
• Achieve election of interim co-ordinating group
• Agree next steps
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Identifying personal styles
Feedback from questionnaire
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Chairing with confidence
• Share experience – worst and best chaired meetings
• Feedback from Assemblies that have taken place
• Identification of specific chairing issues relating to on-going chairing of assemblies
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Dealing with conflict
• Share experience
• Anticipate pressure points:• Newness – lack of shared objectives
• Scepticism about process
• Tensions within community
• Individual agendas
• Lack of confidence
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Guiding principles
• Preserve dignity and respect
• Listen with empathy – be fully present
• Find common ground without forcing change
• Honour diversity, including your own perspective
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Four Phase Process
1. Anticipate Disagreement
2. Plan an appropriate strategy
3. Prepare to set your strategy in motion
4. Take action monitoring the results
Local Assemblies Support PackagePart of the Member Development Programme 2008/09
Action planning
• Identify three things you would like support and training on to assist in role as Chair
• Identify SMART approach to these things
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