Contact your Parish Council
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Democracy and General Purposes Committee |
1 July 2020 |
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Member Training Update |
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Final Decision-Maker |
Democracy and General Purposes Committee
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Lead Head of Service |
Angela Woodhouse, Head of Policy, Communications and Governance
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Lead Officer and Report Author |
Angela Woodhouse, Head of Policy, Communications and Governance
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Classification |
Public
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Wards affected |
All |
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Executive Summary |
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This report updates the Committee on Member Learning and Development activities undertaken in 2019-20 and requests member engagement in the programme for 2020-21
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Purpose of Report
Discussion and noting
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This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee: |
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1. The Member Learning and Development Update be noted and the proposed approach to the programme for 2020-21 be agreed. |
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Timetable |
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Meeting |
Date |
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Democracy and General Purposes Committee |
1 July 2020 |
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Member Training Update |
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1. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS
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Issue |
Implications |
Sign-off |
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Impact on Corporate Priorities |
The four Strategic Plan objectives are:
· Embracing Growth and Enabling Infrastructure · Safe, Clean and Green · Homes and Communities · A Thriving Place
We do not expect the recommendations will by themselves materially affect achievement of corporate priorities. However, they will support the Council’s overall achievement of its aims as set out in the report
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Head of Policy, Communications and Governance |
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Cross Cutting Objectives |
The four cross-cutting objectives are:
· Heritage is Respected · Health Inequalities are Addressed and Reduced · Deprivation and Social Mobility is Improved · Biodiversity and Environmental Sustainability is respected
The member training programme should be designed with the cross-cutting objectives in mind. |
Head of Policy, Communications and Governance |
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Risk Management |
Covered in the risk section
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Head of Policy, Communications and Governance
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Financial |
There is a budget available of £10,000 for Member training for 2020-21. Any proposed programme following member consultation will need to be in budget.
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Head of Policy, Communications and Governance |
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Staffing |
We will deliver the recommendations with our current staffing.
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Head of Policy, Communications and Governance |
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Legal |
There are no legal implications. However, under Section 3 of the Local Government Act 1999 (as amended) the Council as a best value authority has a statutory duty to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. The Learning and Development Charter and this report assist in demonstrating best value and compliance with the statutory duty.
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Head of Policy, Communications and Governance |
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Privacy and Data Protection |
There are no privacy and data protection implications. |
Policy and Information Team
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Equalities |
No implications |
Policy & Information Manager |
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Public Health
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No implications |
Public Health Officer |
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Crime and Disorder |
No implications |
Head of Policy, Communications and Governance |
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Procurement |
Any training
procured will follow |
Head of Service & Section 151 Officer |
2. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
2.1 The Council has in place a Member Development Charter agreed by the Democracy Committee in September 2018.
2.2 The Charter sets out the following criteria for Member Development:
· There is a clear commitment to councillor development and support
· The council has a strategic approach to councillor learning and development
· Learning and development is effective in building capacity
Learning and Development Activities Undertaken in 2019/20
2.3 37 learning and development activities took place ranging from briefings, planning training and audit training to the new member induction.
2.4 Attendance at the training and briefing sessions has varied with some members having attended over 20 sessions and 8 councillors who have not attended any training sessions last year. The two training sessions with the lowest attendance were, New Member Induction day 2 and Planning Training Design Tour workshop.
2.5 Planning again proved to be the most popular of the training and briefing sessions run. Popular sessions last year included the Briefing on the Local Plan review with 29 attendees and the Public Consultation for the Local Plan Review with 21 in attendance. The Planning training on Enforcement had 13 out of the 15 required in attendance.
2.6 Audit Governance and Standards training was well attended by its committee members, with sessions running pre the scheduled meetings proving to be successful. Sessions ranged from a briefing on the Council Accounts to Standards and the Code of Conduct.
2.7 Following the committee structure review last year, chairing skills training was held which five Councillors in attendance and this session included meeting procedures and rules.
3. AVAILABLE OPTIONS
3.1 Training will continue virtually for councillors where appropriate and possible. As the rules change regarding social distancing and the alert levels change in relation to the pandemic we will review and adapt how training is delivered.
3.2 It would be beneficial to consult with Members on their training needs and committee specific training so we can put together a suitable programme for 2020-21. A short survey is proposed to capture this information. The survey should also include information on learning styles.
3.3 Suggested training would include interests, meeting procedures and rules, specific committee training and skills for Councillors.
3.4 Deciding not to run training and development sessions for members is not recommended as this would go against the Member Development Charter, good governance practice and constitutional requirements for committees.
4. PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 That last year’s programme be noted and in line with the Member Development Charter members are asked to put forward suggestions for training and agree to a short survey to inform the Member Development programme for this year.
5. RISK
5.1 This report is presented for information only and has no risk management implications.
6. CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK
6.1 Each committee has the opportunity to identify training as appropriate throughout the year.
6.2 The report proposes a short survey to capture members training needs and requests to inform the Member Development Programme.
7. NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION
7.1 If approved a short survey will be conducted in July and a proposed schedule of training brought to this committee in September.
8. REPORT APPENDICES
None.
9. BACKGROUND PAPERS
None