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X-WR-CALNAME:BMKALC
X-WR-CALDESC:Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Association of Local Councils
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261026T093000
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SUMMARY:New! Raising the Bar: Behaviour, Standards & Public Trust in Local Councils Seminar – In Person – October 26th 9.30am – 3.30pm
DESCRIPTION:Raising the Bar: Behaviour, Standards & Public Trust in Local Councils\nWhy This Seminar Matters Now\nStandards in public life remain a significant challenge across local government. Recent calls from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) highlight growing concerns around councillor conduct, bullying, harassment, intimidation, and the limitations of the current standards framework. NALC has urged the Government to bring forward standards reforms, warning that poor behaviour can undermine public trust, make it harder to retain councillors and staff, and discourage people from entering public service.\nAs councils face increasing responsibilities and heightened public scrutiny, creating healthy council cultures and maintaining high standards of conduct has never been more important. This seminar goes beyond compliance and procedure to explore the practical behaviours, leadership approaches and governance frameworks that help councils build trust, prevent conflict and work more effectively together.\nWe welcome guest speakers:\n\nJane Moore, Senior solicitor and legal manager, NALC\n Sharon Bridglalsingh, Director, Law and Governance, MKCC\nPeter Brown, Head of Democratic Services, MKCC \nMonitoring Officers and Legal & Democratic Services Buckinghamshire Council \nBecky Walsh, Founder, Council Culture, Council Behaviour, Culture and Communications Specialist\n\nWhat makes a council truly effective?\nStrong governance, clear standards, and robust procedures are essential, but lasting public trust is built through behaviour, culture, and leadership.\nJoin BMKALC for this engaging one-day seminar exploring how councils can strengthen standards, foster respectful working relationships, and create positive cultures that support effective decision-making.\nBringing together councillors, clerks, monitoring officers, legal professionals and sector specialists, the event will provide practical insight into:\n\nThe Nolan Principles in practice\nCommon causes of standards complaints\nSocial media, interests, and predetermination\nMember and officer relationships\nManaging difficult behaviours and conflict\nBuilding positive council cultures\nStrengthening public confidence\n\nThrough expert presentations, panel discussions, and interactive case studies, delegates will leave better equipped to navigate today’s challenges while raising standards across their councils.\nWho should attend?\n\nTown and Parish Councillors\nClerks and Deputy Clerks\nCouncil Chairs and Vice-Chairs\n\nA practical, insightful, and thought-provoking day focused on strengthening behaviour, governance, and public trust.\nRaising the Bar: Behaviour, Standards & Public Trust in Local Councils Programme\n\n\n\nTime\nAgenda\nPresenter\n\n\n09:30 – 10:00\nArrival, Registration & Refreshments\n \n\n\n10:00 – 10:15\nWelcome & Setting the Scene\n\nWelcome and introductions\nWhy standards matter more than ever\nThe link between public trust, behaviour and effective governance\nWhat delegates will gain from the day\n\n\n Mel Woof, CEO, BMKALC\n\n\n10:15 – 11:15\nThe Nolan Principles in Practice: Where Things Go Wrong\nExploring:\n\nReal-life standards challenges facing councils\nWhy complaints often arise unintentionally\nCommon patterns and trends emerging across local government\n\nIncludes:\n\nAnonymised case studies\nEarly warning signs\nConsequences for councils and councillors\nLessons learned from investigations\n\nTakeaway: Understanding how seemingly small issues can escalate into formal complaints.\nSharon Director, Law and Governance, MKCC & Peter Brown, Head of Democratic Services, MKCC \n\n\n11:15 – 11:30\nReflection & Q&A\n\nAudience questions\nScenario-based discussion\n\n\n \n\n\n11:30 – 11:45\nRefreshment Break\n\n\n\n11:45 – 12:45\nPractical Session: The Pitfalls That Catch Councillors Out\nExploring:\n\nSocial media and online conduct\nInterests and declarations\nBias and predetermination\nCouncillor and officer boundaries\nRespect, civility and bullying allegations\n\nFormat:\n\nInteractive scenarios\nAudience participation\nPractical guidance\n\nTakeaway: How to recognise and avoid high-risk behaviours.\n\n Monitoring Officers and Legal & Democratic Services Buckinghamshire Council \n\n\n12:45 – 13:00\nPanel Discussion: What Monitoring Officers See Most Often\nPanel:\n\nBuckinghamshire Council Monitoring Officers\nMilton Keynes City Council Legal Team\n\nDiscussion:\n\nRecurring issues\nEmerging trends\nCommon frustrations\nWhat effective councils do differently\n\nTakeaway: Practical insights from those handling standards concerns.\n\n \n\n\n13:45 – 14:45\nHandling Difficult Situations & Preventing Escalation\nA Culture & Behaviour Approach\nWhile standards frameworks provide the structure, behaviour and communication ultimately determine whether councils thrive or struggle.\nThis highly engaging and practical session explores the psychology behind conflict and what councillors, clerks and council leaders can do to prevent difficult situations from escalating.\nPersonal Standards\n\nWhy conflict escalates in council environments\nUnderstanding stress and its impact on decision-making\nRecognising personal triggers\nChallenging assumption-based thinking\n\nLeadership Standards\n\nResponding rather than reacting\nDe-escalating difficult conversations\nRebuilding relationships after conflict\nLeadership through emotional regulation\n\nBusiness Standards\n\nRefocusing on the shared purpose of public service\nBuilding healthier working relationships\nCreating productive council cultures\n\nTakeaway: Practical tools to improve communication, reduce conflict and strengthen collaborative leadership.\n\nBecky Walsh, Founder, Council Culture\n\n\n14:45 – 15:00\nRefreshment Break\n\n\n\n15:00 – 15:20\nClosing Keynote\nRaising Standards: Creating a Positive Council Culture\nDrawing together the learning from the day, Becky will explore how lasting standards are shaped not only by procedures and codes of conduct, but by the behaviours people choose to model every day.\nFocus Areas\n\nAligning personal behaviour with the Nolan Principles\nBuilding cultures of kindness and accountability\nStrengthening trust through everyday actions\nLeading through collaboration and respect\n\nTakeaway: A positive and inspiring call to action that empowers councils to create stronger cultures, stronger relationships, and greater public confidence.\n\nBecky Walsh, Founder, Council Culture\n\n\n15:20 – 15:30\nClosing Remarks & Next Steps\nMel Woof, CEO, BMKALC\n\n\n\nRunning time:   10am to 3.30pm\nVenue: Oculus, The Gateway Conference Centre, Aylesbury\nOnsite parking: Free\nCancellation: A full refund will be given if 14 days or more notice prior to the date of the training course is given. However, this could cause an event to be cancelled if it becomes uneconomic to run.\nMembers £110 per ticket which includes refreshments and a light lunch\nAssociate County Association Members: £110 per ticket\nNon-members £220 per ticket\n
URL:https://bucksalc.gov.uk/events/new-raising-the-bar-behaviour-standards-public-trust-in-local-councils-seminar-in-person-october-26th-9-30am-3-30pm/
CATEGORIES:All Training,Code of Conduct,Events,Seminars,Service Related,Training
LOCATION:Gatehouse Rd, Aylesbury HP19 8FF
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bucksalc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Raising-the-Bar-Behaviour-Standards-Public-Trust-in-Local-Councils-26th-October-2026.png
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