Archived decisions

Community Leadership Skills Framework for Elected Members

Self Assessment ¹

To help us provide you with the resources and tools to be an effective member of the Fire and Rescue Authority, can I please ask you to take a moment of your time and complete the following questionnaire using the

Red Column - Would like to Improve - requesting supplementary support

Green Column - Performing Well - confirming that you do not require further development

When you have completed the self assessment, please can you return this form to:

..............................................................

Thank you for your assistance in this matter

Key Indicators

Engages proactively with community, canvasses opinion and seeks new ways of representing others

Keeps up to date with community and issues of local concern, drawing information and resources from a range of sources and people

Approachable, is empathetic and understanding and encourages trust

Provides a voice for all sections of the community and develops partnerships inside the council and with external organisations

Mediates fairly and constructively between people with conflicting needs

Campaigns with enthusiasm, courage and persistence on behalf of others

Key Indicators

Evaluates arguments according to evidence, makes independent and impartial judgements

Chairs meetings effectively, follows protocol and keeps process on track

Follows legal process, balancing public needs and local policy

Monitors performance and intervenes as appropriate to ensure progress

Seeks feedback on own performance and engages in self directed learning

Understands and acts on judicial role in order to meet legal responsibilities (e.g. duty of care, corporate parenting)

Community Leadership Skills Framework for Elected Members

Self Assessment

Key Indicators

Looks for new methods and topics for critical challenge and scrutiny

Quickly analyses and assimilates complex information, taking account of the wider strategic context

Presents arguments in a concise, meaningful and easily accessible way

Inquisitorial, asks for explanations and checks for implementation of recommendations

Objective, rigorous and resilient in challenging process, decisions and people

Acts as a critical friend, provides constructive feedback and acknowledges the success of others

Key Indicators

Communicates regularly with community via newsletters, phone calls and local media

Listens sensitively, checks for understanding and adapts style as necessary

Builds relationships with local media and creates opportunities for communicating key decisions, activities and achievements

Speaks clearly and confidently in public, uses accessible language and avoids jargon or `council-speak'

Provides regular feedback, keeps people informed and manages expectations

Uses appropriate language to communicate key points verbally and in writing (e.g. letters, reports, interviews and presentations)

Community Leadership Skills Framework for Elected Members

Self Assessment

Key Indicators

Builds good relationships with colleagues, officers and wider community

Achieves goals by co-ordinating others, maintaining task focus and persisting in the face of setbacks

Empowers others to take responsibility, knows when to delegate or provide support

Makes others feel valued, trusted and included, recognises and is inclusive of people from different backgrounds

Patient, takes a long-term view in developing networks and partnerships

Maintains calm and focus when criticised or under pressure

Positive Indicators

Actively represents group views and values through decisions and actions

Helps develop cohesion within the group and contributes to healthy communication between the group and the council

Communicates political values through canvassing, electoral campaigning and by identifying new ways of engaging the public

Committed to developing own political intelligence and understanding of local and national political landscape

Acts ethically, understands and communicates political values to others

Works across group boundaries with compromising political values

Community Leadership Skills Framework for Elected Members

Self Assessment

Key Indicators

Establishes strategic policies and prioritises actions based on local needs, manifesto and regional opportunities

Works with officers to collate and analyse information and inform budget priorities and performance plans

Actively encourages involvement of stakeholders in policy formation

Creates and communicates a shared council vision, providing clear direction and promoting understanding

Open to new ideas and adapts innovatively to a changing environment (e.g. e-government)

Acts to broaden perspective and enhance effectiveness by learning from others and sharing best practice (e.g. other councils, IDeA)

Key Indicators

Works closely with senior officers to develop, agree and implement portfolio strategies

Sets and communicates realistic and achievable objectives, monitors performance and acts to address deficits

Develops knowledge of council systems and inputs council views at area specific meetings (e.g. planning, licensing)

Emphasises a team approach and shares responsibility for success and failure

Encourages scrutiny and responds positively to feedback, challenge and ideas

Represents electorate and council at a strategic level through links and partnerships at local, regional and national levels

Community Leadership Skills Framework for Elected Members

Self Assessment

Key Indicators

Provides visionary and charismatic leadership, inspires thrust in others and gains commitment to policies and decisions

Shapes a culture of excellence and acts as a role model for appropriate behaviour, ethical practice and democratic process

Builds strong relationships with senior officers and cabinet based on open communication, co-operative working and trust

Acts as the public face of the council and champions council needs in regional and national debates

Works across political and council boundaries to foster communication and encourage co-operation

Well prepared and able to troubleshoot, judges what to get involved in and when to say `No'

Committed to learning, developing others and sharing best practice

Effectively `juggles' numerous, potentially conflicting, responsibilities