The First University Qualification for Elected Members in the South East and London
Councillor delegates actively engaged in the first module and the following comments were made:
“I enjoyed every minute of my two days and really looking forward to our return on the 6th-June 08. I really want to learn as much as possible about Local Government, so that I can be a better Councillor, to help the local Residence in my Ward, my Town, my Counciland my Conservative Party. Our course director is a fantastic teacher, he is a real gentleman, with a big heart. This course is (for me)a very exciting, demanding, with lots to learn and I am looking forward to it. I have met all the other students on the course and find them very friendly. We are a good 'Team', I like them all. The university is so big and all the tutors are very helpful and professional. I would recommend this university any time”.
Cllr Jeanette Mann, Wycombe
"It's so easy to get caught up in events and not have enough time for reflection. The certificate in local governance is a real opportunity to look at how models and theories can help councillors be more effective. It's a brain and morale booster!"
Cllr Susan Carey, Kent CC
This unique and innovative programme has been designed by London South Bank University (LSBU) in conjunction with South East Employers (SEE) and London Councils (LC) to meet the learning and career development needs of councillors in the south east of England and London area. It builds on established LSBU programmes such as the Masters in Public Administration (MPA) and the work the university has been doing on accredited member development for some UK Local Councils.
The programme will be supported by LSBU’s established research base in the public sector and will benefit from tuition by academic staff with experience of working in local government and with elected councillors. Visiting speakers will be drawn widely from various parts of local government and from elsewhere in Europe.
Run over a series of Friday/Saturday workshops and with a week long (non residential) summer school, the programme has been designed to fit around the busy schedules of elected members. It will take place at LSBU’s modern Keyworth Centre on the Southwark campus at the Elephant and Castle in South-London.
Why a university certificate?
- To enable councillors to see their roles in the wider governance and regulatory context.
- To develop skills relevant to a career in local representation and politics
- To add a university certificate to a councillor’s CV, thus providing relevance for career development beyond the ballot box.
- To provide access to continuing learning through a developmental framework.
Who is the Certificate for?
The programme has been designed exclusively for councillors with service of a year or more in a south east council or a London borough who intend pursuing a political career in local government.
Programme Structure and Timetable
The programme offers participants the opportunity to study three related units:
- Community Leadership, Representation and Change
To enable councillors to perform their community leadership, scrutiny and representational roles better and to champion organisational and community change. - Governance, Policy and Regulation
To enable councillors to perform their governance and policy roles better within the national, legal and political context. - Service Improvement
To enable councillors to perform better their role of leading service improvement making greater use of increasingly scarce resources.
The units will be run on a blended learning basis involving 6 two day modules at the university, each preceded and followed by distance learning activities. There will be a five day non-residential summer school in July.
2009 / 10 Programme
The next programme will commence in September 2009 - November 2010. An application pack will be available to download from March 2009.
Teaching and Learning
A variety of teaching and learning methods are used to reflect differing learning styles and to take account of the busy and demanding life styles of councillors, many of whom will have been out of formal education for some time.
Assessment is via individual assignments, presentations and a portfolio. There will be no examinations.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who are able to show at least a year’s experience as an elected councillor will be able to be considered without formal qualifications. Participants will need to have competence in English in order to gain full benefit.
Support for Non-Graduates
Much of the analysis, discussion and programme work will be at or near the equivalent of post graduate study. Additional study skills support will be available for participants who have not studied at degree level.
Cost
The programme cost is £1750.00 per Councillor. This includes a £1000.00 subsidy for Councillors from the South East. The subsidy is provided by Improvement and Efficiency South East. The fee for Councillors from London and other regions will be £2750/VAT. The fees don't include travel and subsistence.
Location
LSBU’s Southwark Campus is within easy reach of the City and London’s West End and Waterloo, London Bridge and Victoria stations. It is close to the Elephant and Castle underground and rail station. The Keyworth Centre is a new, well equipped venue.
Programme Contacts
Andrew Summers, Course Director, London South Bank University
Telephone: 027 815 8210 or email summeraj@lsbu.ac.uk
Mark Palmer, Head of Improvement and Governance, SEE
Telephone: 01962 840664 or email mark@seemp.co.uk
Kris Hibbert, Project Manager, London Councils
Telephone: 0207 934 9957 or email kris.hibbert@londoncouncils.gov.uk