Issue - meetings

To inform the committee of the progress made and proposals for future member development.

a)        That the Committee notes the Member induction programme held after the elections; and

b)        That the Committee supports the approach to Member Development for the rest of the municipal year, as detailed in Appendix A to the report.

The Democratic Services Manager presented a report on the development of the Member induction programme following the elections.

Following positive feedback on the generic induction sessions for new and returning Members, a draft programme of Member Development briefings had been prepared to provide Members with specific skills and knowledge needed to carry out their roles.  The programme was subject to continual review, for example, additional workshops on Transport Policy and the North Wales Growth Deal had been scheduled for November in response to Member requests.  There was also an opportunity for new Members to attend a regional event held by the Welsh Local Government Association.

Councillor Chris Bithell welcomed the approach to the induction programme which had aimed to accommodate as many Members as possible.  He requested details on the number of attendees at the induction sessions and how many individuals had not attended any, in particular new Members.  The Democratic Services Manager confirmed that new Members had each attended at least one induction session.  He agreed to provide the information in a report to the next meeting including a breakdown by timeslots, as requested by Councillor Glyn Banks.

In response to comments from Councillor Arnold Woolley, it was explained that Overview & Scrutiny training had been given at each of those individual committees and was also covered in the Constitutional Matters induction session.

Councillor Mike Peers asked whether development sessions on the Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 should be brought forward, as this topic had been raised by Wales Audit Office (WAO) as an area of particular focus during the recent discussion groups.  The Democratic Services Manager would seek clarification as this had not been identified as a priority by WAO.

Councillor Bithell stressed the importance of all Members and officers understanding their responsibilities on safeguarding and referred to the sessions to be delivered before Overview & Scrutiny and Audit committee meetings.  It was explained that the sessions were open to all Members and that those unable to attend would be given an opportunity to take part in a mop-up session.

RESOLVED:

a)        That the Committee notes the Member induction programme held after the elections; and

b)        That the Committee supports the approach to Member Development for the rest of the municipal year, as detailed in Appendix A to the report.