Cheshire East Council has been recognised for the training and development of its elected Members. The Council has achieved Level 1 accreditation under the North West Charter on Elected Member Development.
Speaking about the Award, Cheshire East Council Leader Wesley Fitzgerald said “We believe at the heart of any local authority dedicated to meeting the needs of their community, will be a commitment to the development of its elected members, a principle which also lies at the heart of the Charter.
“Members make decisions which affect everyday lives and the Council is committed to providing the support they need to make these decisions and do the excellent job they do for the local people on their patch."
With support from specialist Officers within each area of the Council, Cheshire East Councillors receive training to ensure they are equipped to deliver the best for their community.
To achieve Charter accreditation, Cheshire East had to demonstrate its commitment to this support and provide evidence of its investment in member development.
Cheshire East was just a month old when it showed its support of the Charter aims, with Leader Wesley Fitzgerald and Chief Executive Erika Wenzel signing the Declaration of Commitment.
The North West Local Authorities Employers’ Organisation carried out an assessment in September, before the accreditation was announced in October.
The Council will be presented with its Charter accreditation at a special awards ceremony at The Lowry, Salford Quays on Friday 13 November 2009.
Photograph: The signing of the Declaration of Commitment to the North West Charter - the first step in the Charter process.
(From left to right) Councillor Dorothy Flude, Leader of the Labour Group; Councillor Wesley Fitzgerald, Leader of the Council; Erika Wenzel, Chief Executive, Cheshire East Council and Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group.
