Role description: CLP Secretary

Download a PDF version of this page here CLP Secretary e-learning course on Labour Learn

CLP Secretary

Be the organiser who keeps your local Labour Party active, connected and running smoothly.

As CLP Secretary, you play a central role in making your local party effective, welcoming and well-organised. You are responsible for keeping things on track — from communication and meetings to supporting officers and ensuring members are informed and involved.

This role suits someone who is organised, proactive and a good communicator, and who enjoys working with others to make things happen.

What success looks like

A strong CLP Secretary helps create a local party that is:

  • Active – regular campaigning, events and visible in the community
  • Welcoming – new members feel included and want to get involved
  • Well-organised – clear communication, smooth meetings and effective systems
  • Connected – members, branches and officers working together effectively

What you’ll do

Keep your CLP organised and on track

  • Work with officers to plan the year ahead, including campaigns, elections and development
  • Ensure roles and contact details are kept up to date on Labour Hub
  • Make sure Standing Orders are up to date and meetings are run in line with party rules
  • Support the smooth running of meetings, including preparing agendas and circulating minutes

Lead communication

  • Ensure members are kept informed about meetings, campaigns and opportunities to get involved
  • Set up and maintain clear and effective communication channels
  • Share information between officers, branches and members

Support an active and welcoming CLP

  • Help create an inclusive and friendly culture where members feel involved
  • Welcome new members and support them to get involved
  • Encourage participation in campaigning, events and policy discussions

Work with branches and officers

  • Support Branch Secretaries and ensure they are confident in their roles
  • Share information between CLP and branches so activity is coordinated
  • Help ensure training and opportunities are communicated to branch level
  • Work closely with other officers to support the overall development of the CLP

How you’ll work with others

You’ll be part of a team of officers working together to deliver a strong and active CLP.

  • CLP Chair – works closely with you to plan and run meetings and support the CLP
  • CLP Vice Chair (Campaigns & Membership) – works closely with you to ensure members’ details are updated and members are welcomed and engaged
  • CLP Treasurer – coordinates on reporting, governance and organisational matters
  • Branch Secretaries – key contacts for sharing information and supporting activity
  • Other officers – work together to deliver campaigning, events and member engagement

Top tips to get you started

  • Start with people, not paperwork – build relationships with your Chair, officers and Branch Secretaries early
  • Keep it simple – a few clear systems for communication and organisation will save time
  • Focus on engagement – informed and involved members are more likely to stay active
  • Don’t do everything yourself – share tasks and support others to take on roles
  • Make meetings matter – keep them purposeful, welcoming and worth attending

Your first 90 days

  • Meet with your Chair, Vice Chair and fellow officers to understand priorities and plans
  • Check Labour Hub to ensure roles and contact details are up to date
  • Review how your CLP currently communicates with members
  • Introduce yourself to Branch Secretaries and establish regular contact
  • Support your first meetings, including agendas and minutes

Tools, guidance and support

If you need support or advice, you can contact the CLP Support team on [email protected], the Governance and Legal Unit on [email protected], or your regional office, or Scottish or Welsh Labour.