1. Tower Hamlets Council Future Women Councillors Initiative A presentation for: The London Member Development Network London Councils 7 th October 2008 Tina Dempsey & Shalim Ahmed Corporate Learning and Development Officers Organisational Development Chrissy Townsend, Future Councillors Group

2. Future Councillors - Background Part of a wider strategy to further progress Member learning and development and promote local democracy Funded by Capital Ambition 3 strands –All party Member learning and development – to build capacity and accelerate improvement; –Enhancing Member / Officer relationships and understanding; –Future Councillors

3. Future Councillors Initiative Inevitable turnover of councillors at local elections in Tower Hamlets; Complex political dynamic; Some younger councillors may choose to carry out only one term of office because of life/career choices; Increasing population mobility; Address the current gender imbalance on the council (11 out of 51) councillors are women; Would also build upon the councils award winning Women into Public Life scheme; No guarantees - However, they will be in a position to support other women and to assume other vital community leadership roles Feature: London Councils The X Factor

4. Tower Hamlets Women Councillors Currently: 11 out of 51 Members (21%) 2 Cabinet Members 3 Overview and Scrutiny Leads Leader of Liberal Democrats Key positions 2007: Leader of the Council Mayor

5. Future Councillors – The Launch Launched in conjunction with Councils Women into Public Life websites (WIPL) 45 local women participated in the launch 30 issued with application forms 17 returned (all invited to join programme) Induction evening May 08 Cross party presentations from existing women councillors East End Life

6. Identifying learning and development needs Acquiring knowledge: The political environment and local government context; Tower Hamlets Partnership; Housing and Childrens Services; PCT; Budgets and finance; The Olympics Skills development: Effective communication - Dealing with the media; - Public speaking and presentation skills; Time management and organisational skills; Work – life balance; Networking skills

7. Key outcomes to date Co-opted members for 08/09 Overview & Scrutiny Reviews including: - Child poverty - Affordable home ownership - Alcohol Misuse amongst young people - Parental Involvement - Early Intervention - End of Life Care Participation in LAPs Residents Panel Local Democracy Week- Minnie Lansbury event Raised levels of confidence and knowledge Networking and support

8. Tower Hamlets Future Councillors Initiative Tower Hamlets Future Councillors with John Biggs (London Assembly Member) & Paul Wheeler (Director of the Political Skills Forum) at the: London Governance Workshop Mulberry PlaceQUESTIONS?