Role playing could help conquer challenging and questionable behaviour of Isle of Wight Council planning committee members.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has reviewed the Island’s planning set-up and recommended drama sessions as one way of helping them overcome the problems.
Arguments and infighting required security guards
Security guards had to be called to a recent planning committee meeting due to arguments and infighting.
These problems, LGA officials say, have resulted in reputational damage to the Isle of Wight Council and the behaviour of a few members ‘needs to change’.
Use of drama-based learning techniques
Awareness of individual’s behaviours could be raised by using drama-based learning techniques, such as role-playing, “to explore behaviours, change mindsets and enhance relationships at work”.
The LGA said the creation of a safe space for councillors to explore their actions and behaviours in work settings to improve effectiveness could transform the situation.
IWC: Will be considered as part of an action plan
A IW council spokesperson said all suggestions put to them by the LGA will be considered as part of an action plan.
The cost of role play exercises has yet to be determined. Businesses that provide drama training declined to comment on pricing.
Urgent refresh of the council’s constitution and protocols
The LGA also suggested an urgent refresh of the council’s constitution and protocols, as they have been at the heart of some of the problems.
These include the eligibility of a councillor to vote on an application if they have not been on a site visit or are the ward member.
Must not ‘not purely focus on local ward issues’
The LGA pointed out councillors should not have made up their minds prior to the deciding council meeting.
Officials said councillors need to think strategically when it comes to planning matters and ‘not purely focus on local ward issues’.
Greater clarity needed on different roles councillors play
The LGA also said there is a need for greater clarity on the different roles councillors play on the committee and for members’ awareness to be raised about the risk of a legal challenge, due to the cost unguarded comments made in committee meetings could have.
An action plan is set to be approved in the coming month to react to the findings of the LGA review.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
