COUNCILLORS in South Gloucestershire are receiving some of the best training in the country.

South Gloucestershire Council has had two of its training programmes nationally recognised.

The council’s comprehensive councillor development programme has been awarded the South West Councillor Development Charter, a nationally recognised quality standard in councillor development.

In addition to this the Unitary Authority Member Development Partnership, which is led by the South Gloucestershire, has made the finals in the Municipal Journal (MJ) Local Government Achievement Awards 2009.

The MJ awards are considered the Oscars for local government.

South Gloucestershire Council has been short listed for the Councillor Development Achievement of the Year category, for the partnership, which also includes Bristol City Council, Bath and North East Somerset Council and North Somerset Council, and allows the authorities to share expertise and resources to make sure councillors are given the best development opportunities.

The partnership provides councillors of all political groups with training in a wide range of skills including community leadership skills, roles and responsibilities on committees, public speaking, and personal development.

Cllr Allan Higgs, South Gloucestershire Council’s executive member for corporate affairs, said: "The councillor development programme plays a vital role in supporting councillors to carry out their complex regional and local roles and responsibilities.

"We are proud of these achievements, which demonstrate our commitment to supporting and enabling councillors in the delivery of the highest quality service to their communities."

South Gloucestershire Council was also short listed in the Public Private Partnership category for its Festival of Youth Sport, which is a joint project with Airbus. The festival provides sporting opportunities to hundreds of young people every year.

The council was also commended in the Best Achieving Council of the Year category of the awards.