1. New model councillor-officer protocol

In partnership with Hoey Ainscough Associates, the Civility and Respect Project has published a new model councillor-officer protocol. The protocol's purpose is to guide councillors and officers in their relations with one another and help build and maintain good working relationships. It covers respective roles, relationships, handling concerns and decision-making.

2. New roles & responsibilities guidance

Local (parish and town) councillors and local council officers have different but complementary roles. Councillors, as the democratically-elected representatives of their areas, are there to set the budget and strategic direction of the council and ensure that the community’s priorities are identified and delivered.

The role of officers is to advise councillors, ensure that the council’s strategy is delivered on a day-to-day basis and manage the operational and organisational side of the council.

This document briefly summarises those different roles and responsibilities, it should be read alongside ‘The Good Councillors Guide’ and the Good Councillors series of publications published by NALC (https://www.nalc.gov.uk/publications#the-goodcouncillor-s-guide) and Model Councillor Officer Protocol. (All in the Members Area of our website)