The Member Development Charter is awarded to councils in recognition of their work to provide councillors with the support, skills and training they need to develop and to effectively manage their local authority’s budgets and services. It is backed by the Improvement and Development Agency.
Among the initiatives Lewisham has put in place is a learning and development plan for councillors which is reviewed by a cross-party group of members, and a special area for members to share with others the new skills and information they have learned.
The council has also elected a young mayor and has successfully involved young people in civic life and advising councillors on policies that directly affect them.