Dear Members,
Statutory Recommendation 4 of the external Audit Findings Report for 2024/25 stipulates the following:
The Council should take immediate steps to re-build trust between Officers and Members and reinforce the effective operation of its Protocol for Member/ Officer Relations. This should include:
- The active involvement of the Council’s most senior political leaders and officers in reinforcing and modelling behaviours which reinforce integrity and build trust;
- Introduction of a development programme which rebuilds and reinforces a culture of trust between Members and Officers and ensures a minimum standard of mandatory training is in place to ensure Member and Officer roles are understood and respected; and
- The inclusion of effective Member/ Officer relationships as a priority in the Council’s planning for future constitutional change.
In order for Officers to proceed with implementing the recommendations, it is important that members views are sought in order to shape both a) any amendments to the Protocol for Member/Officer Relations and b) the member learning and development programme going forward. Responses will be reviewed by the Assistant Director: Law and Corporate Support (Steve Fox), Policy and Strategy Lead (Rose Boylan) and the Member Support Team. Responses will be shared further with the Member Support Steering Group. Responses will be anonymous.
Please complete this short survey by 01 May 2026. You may wish to revisit the Member Officer Protocol: Part 5, Section 3. Protocol for Member/Officer Relations.
Should you have any queries please contact your Member Support Officer.
