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DEMOCRACY COMMITTEE |
5 SEPTEMBER 2018 |
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Maidstone Borough Council Member Learning and Development Charter |
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Final Decision-Maker |
Democracy 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 |
Sam Bailey – Democratic and Administration Services Manager |
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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 sets out the proposed Maidstone Borough Council Member Learning and Development Charter, which was developed on the basis of the charter developed by the Local Government Association.
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This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee: |
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That the Maidstone Borough Council Member Learning and Development Charter is adopted.
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Timetable |
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Meeting |
Date |
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Democracy Committee |
5 September 2018 |
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Maidstone Borough Council Member Learning and Development Charter |
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1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
1.1 At its meeting of 2 July, this Committee considered a report recommending that the Council agreed the Local Government Association Member Development Charter as the Council’s approach to member learning and development. Although the Committee was generally supportive of the charter, there were some areas it wanted to consider more closely and to draw up its own charter.
Progress
since 2 July
1.2
A
working group of the Democracy Committee met on 14 August 2018 to consider the charter.
All members of the Democracy Committee were invited. Councillors Wilson, Joy,
Lewins and Gooch attended the working group.
1.3
The
working group considered the provisions set out in the Local Government
Association’s Member Development Charter and for each element of the charter
asked should anything be removed, reworded or added.
1.4
The
elements that were removed, reworded or added are listed in Appendix 1 to this
report along with the reasons for the amendments.
1.5 The amended Charter can be found in Appendix 2 to this report, and the Committee is recommended to agree the Charter.
2. AVAILABLE OPTIONS
2.1 The Committee could adopt the Maidstone Borough Council Member Development Charter. The Charter has been considered by a working group of members and represents a charter that fits the organisational requirements of the Council, as defined by members.
2.2 The Committee could amend the Maidstone Borough Council Member Development Charter. This option would allow all members of the Committee to have an influence on the charter, if they felt there were any major omissions or further issues that required consideration.
2.3 The Committee could choose not to adopt the Charter. However this is not recommended as it would signify that the Council does not consider the learning and development of members is a priority.
3. PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 Options 2.1 and 2.2 are the preferred option, as adopting a Member Development Charter (or an amended Member Development Charter) shows commitment to Member Learning and Development and allows the Council to self assess its member learning and development provision against the standards for learning and development agreed by members.
4. RISK
4.1 The risks associated with this proposal, including the risks if the Council does not act as recommended, have been considered in line with the Council’s Risk Management Framework. We are satisfied that the risks associated are within the Council’s risk appetite and will be managed as per the Policy.
5. CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK
5.1 The Democracy Committee considered this issue at its last meeting on 5 July 2018, and as a result a working group meeting was held (see introduction and background of the report in section 1).
6. NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION
6.1 Once the charter is adopted, any outstanding actions required for the council to be compliant with the charter will be carried out.
7. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS
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Issue |
Implications |
Sign-off |
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Impact on Corporate Priorities |
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 section 3 [preferred alternative]. |
Democratic Services Manager |
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Risk Management |
Please refer to section 4. |
Democratic Services Manager |
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Financial |
The proposals set out in the recommendation are all within already approved budgetary headings and so need no new funding for implementation. |
Democratic Services Manager |
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Staffing |
We will deliver the recommendations with our current staffing. |
Democratic Services Manager |
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Legal |
No legal comments required
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Principal Solicitor Contentious and Corporate Governance |
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Privacy and Data Protection |
There is no impact on privacy and data protection. |
Democratic Services Manager |
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Equalities |
The proposed Learning and Development Charter for Member Development clearly considers and outlines a commitment to equal access to learning and development for all elected members. This will ensure that no Councillor with a protected characteristic is disadvantaged. |
Equalities and Corporate Policy Officer |
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Crime and Disorder |
No impact. |
Democratic Services Manager |
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Procurement |
No impact. |
Democratic Services Manager |
8. REPORT APPENDICES
The following documents are to be published with this report and form part of the report:
· Appendix 1: Amendments made to the LGA’s Member Learning and Development Charter
· Appendix 2: Maidstone Borough Council Member Learning and Development Charter
9. BACKGROUND PAPERS
None