DEMOCRATIC SERVICES REVIEW
APPENDIX C
ISSUES ARISING FROM CRITICAL FRIENDS PANEL
MANAGEMENT/
RESOURCE ISSUES






Suggested services that could
be merged include: mayoralty,
members services, members
secretary and elections.
Could also be extended to
committee services
Line management needs to be
reviewed particularly relating
to mayoralty, members
services and members
secretary
Need to clearly clarify roles
for those involved in members
support including leader and
deputy to ensure best use of
resources and avoid
duplication
Model used in other GM
councils for the elections
service could be pursued ie.
Full time officers seconded to
elections at peak times
Opportunities for committee
services to merge with
executive services
Could establish a link officer
for all directorates
TECHNOLOGY







Members database needs to
be introduced asap some
details could be included on
website
Needs to be fully utilised
and training on housekeeping
offered to members
Increased use of website is
enhancing the service and
should be pursued further
Investigate access to
electoral register to give
members access to view
BPR on elections potential
for further involvement of
BPR to further call centre
application
Review responsibilities for
the upkeep of directorate
issues on SOLAR
Consistent approach to
SOLAR needed ie all
reports should be published
and all lead member
meetings
SERVICE PROVISION












All member related issues would
be within one unit eg. Travel
arrangements
Members mail dispatch to be
reviewed - collection/re-location
Re-organise the provision of
paper copies of agenda etc
Central library needs organising
effectively and resourced
Review service provision for lead
member briefings to create an
authority wide consistency of
approach
Assess the support needed by
cabinet and who resources it
Role of executive unit support to
cabinet members to be reviewed
Inconsistency of current
provision to cabinet with gaps
identified
Fragmented approach to research
a facility needs to be established
Review meeting groups and
identify which will no longer be
required and which will need
servicing
Consistent approach to lead
member support needed
Requirement to service outside
meetings to be assessed
STANDARDS/PROCEDURES/
PROTOCOL








Central diary to be fully
utilised and used as
remembrancer
Support to political parties
and individual elected
members needs to be
reviewed and standardised
Finalise/publish standards
relating to advocacy role
Could be potential for conflict
if exec services extended
their role to other members
Need a consistent approach
to meetings with outside
bodies support needs to be
provided to members
Protocols need to be
established between Exec
services, committee admin &
scrutiny support
Produce an easy guide to the
constitution
Role of guardian of the
constitution needs to be
reviewed
MARKETING







Promote central diary and its
use
Raise profile of central
library
Need to publicise election
related issues: arrangements
when standing for election,
standing as a candidate,
changes in legislation and
details about polling stations
Broaden scope of marketing
election issues at schools
Increased use of public
relations to promote the
mayor
Role of mayor could be used
in community engagement
Potential for partnership
working