Mr Bailey updated the Committee on work undertaken to develop a Maidstone Borough Council learning and development charter. A working group from the Democracy Committee met in August 2018 to consider modifications to the LGA Member Development Charter and the output from the working group provided the basis of the report. Only the sections of the LGA Member Development Charter that the working group had considered appropriate had been incorporated into the Maidstone Borough Council Learning and Development Charter.

Following questions from Members, Mr Bailey clarified that:

·  That the phrase “A statistical analysis of cultural and personal circumstances should take place.” in Appendix 1, page 38, point 1.2, bullet point one referred to understanding the personal circumstances of Councillors, such as employment and childcare commitments, to ensure that there were equal opportunities for training.

As a result of the clarification it was suggested that “A statistical analysis of cultural and personal circumstances should take place.” be amended to “Personal circumstances will be taken into account to assist with Councillor learning and development.”

The Committee was of the opinion that a standing agenda item at the Leader’s Forum was not required as this forum was supposed to be a forum for updating group leaders on Council issues and the appropriate place for Learning and Development needs to be considered was the Democracy Committee. Mrs Woodhouse, Head of Policy, Communications and Governance confirmed that the Leader’s Forum was not a decision making body so any report would be for information.

RESOLVED: That the Maidstone Borough Council Member Learning and Development Charter is adopted, subject to the following amendments:

The deletion of “Clear commitment from the top political and managerial leadership through a recurring item at the Leader’s Forum to identify learning and development needs of members” at Appendix 2, page 38, point 1.1, bullet point one.

Replacement of the phrase “A statistical analysis of cultural and personal circumstances should take place.” with “Personal circumstances will be taken into account to assist with learning and development.” at Appendix 1, page 38, point 1.2, bullet point one.

Voting: Unanimous