Meetings are a traditional and essential component of local government.
For both councillors and managers, meetings serve as a forum for discussion and agreement, planning and monitoring, communication and leadership. Formal group discussions need focus and direction which can be challenging. An open debate needs a degree of management, to enable all views to be heard and conclusions to be based on reasoned arguments, consensus or compromise.
This is the essential role of the chairperson or ‘chair’.
Key learning points:
- Role of the chair
- Role of councillors
- Effective chairing skills
- Setting ground rules
- Managing behaviour
