Extra safety training and advice is planned for Bradford councillors, following the death of a Gloucestershire councillor in his surgery last year.

It comes as the Local Government Association brings out its own guidance and says it is unacceptable to leave councillors to make their arrangements without support.

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, has written to the Council chief executive Ian Stewart, asking for training and basic safety guidance for members who deal with the public every day.

She said it had been agreed at the time of Gloucestershire councillor Andrew Pennington's death (after an incident during his surgery) that there should be a members' programme but it appeared to have been forgotten. Coun Sunderland added: "The Council needs to place a higher value on the representative role of councillors. This training needs to be put in place as soon as possible.

"There are 15 new councillors this year, but it is not just new councillors who need safety training. Every other councillor should be provided with the chance to minimise the risks faced, without hindering their ability to meet the constituents in an open, accessible way.

"Many councillors have experienced incidents when their personal safety was in jeopardy, and help is needed to reduce the chances of such incidents getting out of control.

"The Council runs excellent training sessions for its frontline staff. It should now extend this training to elected members.''

Guidance from the LGA - the body representing Britain's councils - includes:

Setting out seating in surgeries at an angle of 45 degrees because sitting directly opposite can be confrontational.

Be prepared to handle all types of emotional reactions and have tissues on hand for a person who bursts into tears.

Park cars under street lights;

Try not to hold surgeries alone or in empty buildings.

Mr Stewart said today that training had come up as an issue at a meeting with new councillors and been dealt with. "I have received Coun Sunderland's letter. I have asked staff to take the matter forward."

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