Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Awarded Charter Status

March 7, 2018

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has received the prestigious Elected Member Development Charter award, a national standard of excellence gained by a small number of the UK’s 400+ local authorities. This represents clear recognition of the Council’s sustained commitment to developing and supporting councillor learning and community participation.

Speaking at the presentation of the award at Lagan Valley Island Civic Centre on the 27th February 2018, Alderman Freda Donnelly, Vice President of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA), emphasised Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s real achievement. All councillors interviewed as part of the assessment process spoke of how much they recognised and valued the officer support available to them.  

Councillor Nathan Anderson, Chairman of the Council’s Elected Member Development Steering Group said: “There is a commitment from our Elected Members to deliver the best for our residents and businesses; and part of this is our willingness to enhance our skills in areas such as strategic approach and decision making.  A robust support network of learning and development has been established and will be followed over the next three years of this National Charter Accreditation.  Council Officers and Elected Members will continue to work together to deliver efficient services across the Lisburn Castlereagh area in the years ahead.”

Alderman Freda Donnelly, Vice President of NILGA added: “NILGA led a detailed and arduous assessment to determine if Council met the Charter standard. Commitment, effective communication, officer – member partnership, community engagement, corporate and constituent level work, and learning gained, planned and required for each councillor to enhance their public service skills were assessed. Clearly, Lisburn and Castlereagh do in practice what is presented on paper, the local authority received a high score on many aspects, including its plans for continuous improvement of member learning and development as it plans for and invests in the community.

“We congratulate both the councillors and officers of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council on their dynamic commitment to elected member development. I hope the example set will encourage all other councils to pursue this accreditation”, said Alderman Donnelly.