New certificate in local government

Issued by City of York Council

Coinciding with National Local Democracy Week, the council and the University of York, is launching the country’s first ever accredited Certificate in Local Government.

Anyone can enrol to study for the certificate with the University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning and the offer has already been taken up by some City of York Councillors.

The certificate offers an understanding of civic history, the role of local government and social needs across the city.

Gaining a certificate is equivalent to one full year of a degree in Open University points, and is structured around the following three modules:

•  The Civic History of York (starting in the autumn term 2013, on 3 October); 20 credits
• Governance and the Role of the Councillor (starting in the spring term 2014, on 16 January); 20 credits
• Understanding Social Need within the context of the City of York (starting in the summer term 2014, on 24 April); 20 credits.

Lectures on the first module on civic history starts on Thursday 3 October in West Offices, from 5.30-7.30pm and runs for 11 weeks.

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, City of York Council’s deputy leader with portfolio for Democratic Services, said: “The new Local Government Certificate is a fantastic way for residents to understand a democratic process that directly affects them, and gain a wider understanding of the issues and needs of the city.

“It’s also a chance to learn in West Offices, the new hub of local government in York, and to study alongside elected councillors.”

Whilst the initial 15 places for the autumn term have already been filled, anyone interested in signing up for any of these modules or for more information should email Hannah Lyus.

Local Democracy Week itself runs from 14-18 October 2013 and as usual the council will be putting on a range of activities aimed at engaging people in the community and increasing awareness of how decisions in local government are made. More on Local Democracy Week is on the council’s website.

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