Issue - meetings

(a)       That the progress with Member Development events be noted;  

(b)       That suggestions for future Member Development events be discussed with the Democratic Services Manager; and

(c)        That the Democratic Services Manage writes to all Clerks of Town and Community Councils to inform that meetings of the Authority’s Planning Committee are available for the public to view on webcast on the Authority’s website.

The Democratic Services Manager presented the Member Development update report to inform the Committee of recent and forthcoming Member development events and initiatives.  He explained that following last year’s elections the Induction Programme was designed to provide new and returning Members with essential knowledge to function effectively as Councillors.  Regular update reports on progress on the Member Development events had been reported to the Committee and if Members had any suggestions for future events they could contact the Democratic Services Manager to discuss.

The Democratic Services Manager drew attention to the Member Development events held in May and June 2018 and to the further events to be held during July and September this year, as detailed in the report.  He also referred to the training to be made available to Members on Domestic Violence Awareness and a workshop to be held on 17 September, on Corporate Parenting which would include a presentation on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) awareness.  Members were reminded that in addition to the Welsh language training offered through Coleg Cambria, they were welcome to participate in the staff lunchtime Welsh Conversation Group.

Councillor Chris Bithell commented on the low attendance at Member Development events which had been held during the day.  He expressed appreciation for the Welsh Language Conversation Group sessions which Members were invited to attend.

In response to the comments on attendance the Democratic Service Manager acknowledged that the issue of low attendance at some Member Development events, for a number of reasons, was an on-going problem.  He explained that morning, afternoon and evening sessions were provided where possible to accommodate Members’ needs, however, the provision of evening sessions for all training events was not possible.  The Democratic Services Manager explained that the Chief Executive had said that if a Member was unable to attend a training session that he/she was specifically interested in, officers could provide a condensed one-to-one session to address that need.

Councillor Paul Shotton suggested that Group Leaders could address the issue of low attendance at development events with Members.

In response to a concern raised by  Councillor David Healey regarding planning matters and Town and Community Councils, the Democratic Services Manager agreed to write to all Clerks of Town and Community Councils to inform that meetings of the Authority’s Planning Committee are available for the public to view on webcast on the Authority’s website with the corresponding agenda and application reports. 

Councillor Mike Peers suggested that all Member Development events be included on the weekly diary which was provided by the Member Services team to Members in advance of the scheduled meetings and events being held.

RESOLVED:

 (a)      That the progress with Member Development events be noted; 

(b)       That suggestions for future Member Development events be discussed with the Democratic Services Manager; and

(c)        That the Democratic Services Manage writes to all Clerks of Town and Community Councils to inform that meetings of the Authority’s Planning Committee are available for the public to view on webcast on the Authority’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7