Councillor development charter
Councillor Development Charter and Charter Plus
The Councillor Development Charter is a nationally recognised framework that helps councils build skilled, confident, and effective elected members. Developed by the Local Government Association as part of sector led improvement, it is a coordinated approach to councillor development and developing best practice. It provides councils with a robust framework, which is flexible to local needs, ensures effective leadership, equips their councillors with the support they need, and provide resilience in times of challenge. SEE supports committed councils to consider their existing practices, celebrate what is working, and share good practice in the development of their councillors.
South East Employers works with councils across the South East and beyond to achieve and maintain Charter and Charter Plus status, providing expert support from first conversation through to assessment and continuous improvement.
What the Charter provides
The Councillor Development Charter and Charter Plus framework is built around three core objectives. Councils work towards demonstrating that:
- There is a clear, political and organisational commitment to councillor development and support
- The council has a strategic, planned approach to member development
- Learning and development activity is effective in building councillors’ skills and knowledge, and in improving outcomes for residents
Together, these elements create a robust benchmark that supports effective leadership, good governance, and healthy local democracy.
Charter and Charter Plus
Councils can work towards:
Councillor Development Charter
Recognition that the council has a clear commitment, structure, and programme in place to support all councillors.
Councillor Development Charter Plus
A higher level of accreditation that recognises sustained good practice, demonstrable impact, and continuous improvement in member development
We will guide you through which level is right for your council now and how you can plan a realistic route to the next stage.
How SEE supports your council
We tailor our Councillor Development Charter support to your context, political make up, and ambitions. Our offer can include:
Baseline review and advice
A light touch diagnostic to understand your current approach to member development, highlight strengths, and identify any gaps against the Charter framework.Strategy and action planning
Support to develop or refresh your councillor development strategy, induction programme, and annual member development plan, aligned to your council’s priorities and culture.Engagement and facilitation
Workshops and facilitated sessions with group leaders, member development groups, and senior officers to build shared ownership, agree priorities, and embed the Charter approach.Evidence gathering and assessment preparation
Practical help to assemble evidence, case studies, and feedback, so you feel confident and well prepared ahead of Charter or Charter Plus assessment.Ongoing critical friend support
Check ins after accreditation and support with continuous improvement, so councillor development stays live, not just a one off project.
Our Development Director, Mark Palmer, leads the implementation of the LGA Councillor Development Charter across the South East, East of England, and London, bringing deep experience of what works in a wide range of political and organisational settings.
Benefits for councillors, councils, and communities
Councils that invest in structured councillor development, particularly those accredited under the Charter and Charter Plus, report a range of benefits, including:
Higher quality and more targeted training
Development activity is better planned, better attended, and more clearly linked to councillor roles and council priorities.Stronger induction for new members
New councillors feel better prepared, more confident, and able to contribute earlier in their term of office.Clearer understanding of development needs
Councils gain a more accurate picture of members’ skills, aspirations, and support needs, which feeds into smarter planning.Improved relationships with residents
Better equipped councillors are more confident in public meetings, casework, and scrutiny, which supports trust and more constructive dialogue.More diverse and inclusive participation
Accessible development offers help level the playing field for councillors from a wider range of backgrounds, encouraging progression into leadership roles.Stronger scrutiny and governance
Councils with Charter Plus status, in particular, often see more engaged scrutiny activity and more effective challenge.
Hear more on Governance Matters
To hear real world examples of how the Charter is reshaping leadership and learning, listen to our Governance Matters podcast episode on investing in councillor development and why effective training matters.
Get In Touch
Start your Charter journey. Let's Chat!
Start your Charter journey
Whether you are just beginning to explore the Councillor Development Charter or are ready to move from Charter to Charter Plus, we can help you take the next step.
Get in touch with the SEE team to talk through where you are now, what you want to achieve, and how we can support your councillors to thrive in their roles.