Leading Lights

Bedford Borough Council gained funding for the Leading Lights project at Innovations Day III in 2007.

The Leading Lights Pilot Community Leadership Development Programme, was developed with a view to encourage local people (particularly those under-represented in decision-making), to take a more active part in public life and to put themselves forward for leadership roles.



The ten month programme was based on a management development programme piloted within Bedford Borough Council and a Councillor Shadowing Scheme developed at Bristol City Council, it comprised intensive training sessions and shadowing public figures.

The project, which began in February 2008, suceeded in recruiting twelve members from the local community in Bedford. All were from different backgrounds and had varied life experiences.

At the time of writing (December 2008), six participants are seeking places on school governing bodies, one will be contesting the next local elections as an independent candidate and one is looking to contest from a political party. Four are thinking of applying for Court Magistrate training at an appropriate time and one has been appointed as a member of the Central Bedfordshire Local Strategic Partnership Executive. One has become involved with Bedford Housing Link, one has applied as a Voluntary Counsellor with Road Vicitims Trust and two are involved in mentoring pupils in local schools.

The full report for Leading Lights, detailing highlights, findings and lessons learnt is available to download at the top of this page. For further details please contact Mark Minion, Corporate Performance & Policy Officer - Bedford Borough Council







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