Agenda item

(a)       That officers be requested to continue to prepare an Induction Programme for new and returning Members following the 2017 elections; and

(b)       That a working draft of the Induction programme  be brought back to the next meeting of the Committee on 5 October 2016. 

The Member Engagement Manager introduced a report on the contents of the Welsh Local Government Association’s (WLGA) proposed Induction Programme for Members elected following the 2017 County Council elections.  He advised that the contents of the WLGA Induction programme were not mandatory but suggested as offering the necessary range of training to enable both new and returning Members to understand and fulfil their roles and responsibilities. 

The Member Engagement Manager explained that for the 2017 Induction programme the WLGA had developed a suggested outline which was being consulted on by user authorities. He advised that the Authority was not bound to use the WLGA framework but could customise it to suit its own requirements.  The Member Engagement Manager advised that the Authority would also review its own information pack it provided to give guidance to Members to complement in style and content the WLGA pack.  Members were invited to consider and comment on the WLGA Induction document which was appended to the report.  Members views and comments could then be included in the Authority’s response to the WLGA on the Induction programme.

The Member Engagement Manager explained that it was intended that the Authority’s approach to induction would be more flexible than in previous years  and some of the training sessions would be shortened and more focussed.  He referred to the ‘Your Council’ event which was the normal starting point of the induction programme and suggested that a working group of appropriate officers be set up to develop this and the Induction programme.  The working group would then report back to the Committee on progress and for Members to offer guidance.  In addition a meeting of senior officers would be held during the Summer to provide direction to the working group.  He suggested that a working draft of the Induction programme  be brought back to the next meeting of the Committee on 5 October 2016.  Councillor Chris Bithell asked that some Member representation also be included on the working group. 

Councillor Dave Mackie referred to the WLGA discussion document and commented on the list of mandatory training which had been suggested by the Welsh Government on page 16.  He suggested that introductory training on Planning also be included on the list.   Councillor Glyn Banks concurred that training on Planning matters should be made mandatory for Members and  suggested that it also be extended to include members of Town and Community Councils.  Councillor Mackie also referred to the suggestion of training on Introduction to Equalities and commented that Welsh language was usually included in this.  The Member Engagement Manager suggested that training on the use of an ipad could also be added to the list of training required by Members.   Councillor Hilary McGuill commented on the importance of keeping a record of the training that Members had attended.

Councillor Veronica Gay concurred with the previous suggestion made by Councillor Glyn Banks that Members be provided with training specific to the terms of reference/specialisms of their  allocated committees or sub committees.

Members expressed the need for a single point of contact within each directorate which could ‘sign-post’ the caller to the appropriate service and contact officer and for an updated list of ‘Who’s Who’ within the Council. 

The Chair commented on the additional demands on Member time during the elections in May 2017 and suggested that it may be helpful for both new and returning Members if the induction programme was ‘phased in’ gradually instead of immediately following the elections.  He also suggested that it would be helpful if new Members were provided with guidance as to the commitment which was expected in terms of attendance at induction events and meetings of the Council.  The Member Engagement Manager explained that the WLGA guidance placed an emphasis on the commitment and time which was required of Members.   

RESOLVED:

(a)       That officers be requested to continue to prepare an Induction Programme for new and returning Members following the 2017 elections; and

(b)       That a working draft of the Induction programme  be brought back to the next meeting of the Committee on 5 October 2016.