A study for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation by the Young Foundation and LGiU.

The report explores how the role of ward councillors in England is likely to develop over the next five years. This has become a pressing issue for many councillors and councils in the context of current legislative and policy changes affecting local government.

The study explores how the role of non-executive ward councillors is changing today and how it is likely to develop over the next five years. It captures the views of current councillors, council officers and community organisations about the skills and support ward councillors need to adapt to a new role, and the short- and long-term obstacles to change.

The aim of the report is to make a practical contribution to the debate about the future role of ward councillors and to underpin the development of a new policy framework that will enable elected members to support neighbourhoods and contribute effectively to community leadership, in particular in deprived and disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

The report explores:

• Aspirations for the ‘ideal’ ward councillor role, including councillors involvement in community leadership and strategic decision making
• Short-term issues that present challenges for the development of new councillor roles, including the skills and support councillors will need to make the transition to new ways of working
• The way local authorities, political parties and communities currently work with elected members, and the obstacles to improving these working relationships, many of which are dependent on changes to the culture of local authorities and local political groups.

The report draws on interviews and focus groups carried out in Newcastle, the London Borough of Newham, Salford and Suffolk.

Download a copy of the summary findings here.

To download a copy of the full report please visit the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website.

For more information about this project please contact Saffron Woodcraft, saffron.woodcraft@youngfoundation.org